We are desperate to win — Atsu

Ghana's Black Stars players are desperate to win the rest of their Group C matches not just to keep their campaign at the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) but also to appease their disappointed fans.

At a press conference yesterday, offensive midfielder Christian Atsu said the players understood the pain of the fans when the Stars failed to beat Senegal last Monday and admitted that the painful loss had further eroded the faith fans had in them.

"We are told that not many people [in Ghana] were happy when we took the lead against Senegal, so obviously, they were happy when we lost. But we want to say we are sorry and we desperately want to win to make amends. 

"We are the Black Stars because we have the whole nation backing us. The fans are our spirit, without them we are no stars and we will want them to back us. We do not feel their spirit and and we would want to have that," Atsu said.

Defender Jonathan Mensah added that the team was desperate to win but were not anxious.

"We know and feel the weight of expectation and we are willing to bear that responsibility. We owe it not just to ourselves but to the nation to pull this one through, it is possible and we will do our best to get it done."