We'll qualify for World Cup — Coach Akonnor

Former Black Stars gaffer, Charles Kwablan Akonnor, has expressed confidence that Ghana will qualify for the FIFA World Cup next year.

Ghana, currently second in Group I with nine points, will face Chad on Friday at the Accra Sports Stadium before travelling to Morocco to play Madagascar next week Monday.

Speaking to the Graphic Sports in an interview yesterday, Akonnor stated that he believed the national team had learned from its disappointment of missing out on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and would use this opportunity to correct past mistakes.

"The players are mature and professional enough to understand the dynamics, so they will do everything to win the matches," he emphasised.

The 51-year-old stated that the Black Stars had a brighter chance of winning the two matches than even drawing or losing considering the circumstances surrounding the team now.

The former coach also noted that he could see a strong desire to succeed among the players selected by Coach Otto Addo. He was confident they would deliver, knowing that failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup was not an option.

According to him, because the team failed in the AFCON qualifiers they would do everything possible to secure qualification to the FIFA World Cup and he believed that the motivation to qualify for the World Cup was much higher than that of the AFCON.

"I'm sure they are aware that after failing to qualify for AFCON, the only option left now is the World Cup, and if you look at the opponents, it’s not something we should say we can't beat," he stated.

Despite past losses to teams Ghana was expected to defeat, Akonnor stressed that Chad and Madagascar should not pose a serious threat if the team remained focused. 

He also believes playing Madagascar in Morocco rather than their home country works to Ghana’s advantage, as they will lack home support.

"Under normal circumstances, these teams shouldn’t worry us, but football has changed, so we have to take it very seriously," Akonnor cautioned.

He called on all Ghanaians, including the management of Ghana football, to rally behind the Black Stars to ensure their qualification dream would become a reality.