CK Akonnor believes it’s a huge responsibility to qualify Ghana to 2022 FIFA World Cup

Ghana coach, CK Akonnor says qualifying the team to the 2022 FIFA World Cup is a huge responsibility.

The Black Stars are in Group G of the qualifying tournament, alongside South Africa, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe.

Ghana will get their World Cup qualification underway on Friday when they come up against Ethiopia at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Having failed to qualify for the last World Cup finals which were hosted by Russia in 2018, Ghana are determined to book their place in the global tournament for the fourth time.

“It’s a huge responsibility, even for me in a country where we are so passionate about football,” coach Akonnor told FIFA.com.

“It is gratifying that myself and many other young coaches have been entrusted with such big roles. Many of the young coaches have so far lived up to expectations and some of us are very hopeful of excelling in the roles we find ourselves.”

He added, “Zimbabwe and Ethiopia have qualified for the next Africa Cup of Nations. I’m not sure they could have done so if there weren’t very good, so it is a tough group. I played South Africa when I was the assistant coach. We drew away and beat them 2-0. They will see this is as an opportunity for revenge, but we want to qualify too and we’re going to work hard to beat them.”

“There are no minnows in Africa anymore. “Each and every country dreams of appearing at the World Cup, and the likes of Zimbabwe and Ethiopia won’t leave anything to chance. That’s why we have to work really hard. I believe in the team we have and I know we’ll make it against these teams.”