Coach Ibrahim Tanko: I'm '100% sure' Black Meteors will qualify

The coach of the Black Meteors, Ibrahim Anyars Tanko, has expressed his determination to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that his team emerges victorious against Guinea on Friday at the Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangiers.

With the Guineans occupying second place in Group A on account of a healthier goal difference, only victory for the national U-23 side will grant them qualification to the knockout stages of the ongoing 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking to journalists at the team's base in Rabat's Ibis Hotel on Wednesday, following their final training session at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Tanko acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football but remained confident in Ghana's ability to secure the three points and advance.

"It's football, and anything can happen, but I'm 100 per cent sure that we are going to have the three points and qualify," affirmed Tanko.

Tanko reassured that his players were not disheartened by the 5-1 defeat against Morocco and were already in high spirits during training. Despite this setback, Tanko emphasized that he will rely on the versatility of his talented offensive players and implement some strategic changes to orchestrate a victory over Guinea.

He specifically mentioned the versatility of players such as Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Ernest Nuamah Appiah, Emmanuel Yeboah, and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, underscoring their importance in securing Ghana's progression into the knockout stages through clinical finishing in front of goal.

The team departed from Rabat on a three-hour journey to Tangiers on Thursday, where they are set to face their Guinean counterparts in the crucial must-win encounter at the Ibn Batouta Stadium on Friday, June 30. Kick-off: 20:00 GMT.

Throughout their Group A campaign, the Meteors have been based in Rabat. However, they will now make the three-hour journey to the coastal city of Tangiers to play against Guinea in order to secure their qualification to the knockout stages of the tournament.

The delegation, consisting of players, technical staff, and officials, left Rabat on Thursday morning to adequately prepare for the upcoming match.

Upon arrival in Tangiers, the team is scheduled to train at the Stadium Annex GST between 8pm and 9pm on Thursday. Furthermore, coach Ibrahim Tanko will address the media at the Media Centre of the Stadium from 7:30pm to 7:55pm.

The Meteors kicked off their journey in the competition with a 3-2 victory against Congo but suffered a humbling 5-1 defeat against hosts Morocco in their second match. As a result, Ghana's goal difference remains unfavourable, and only a win will ensure their progression, especially after Guinea's 3-1 triumph over Congo.

In another Group A fixture, tournament hosts Morocco, who have already secured qualification, will face Congo, who have been eliminated from the competition, in a dead rubber match.