Maxwell Konadu faces his biggest test yet as he leads the Black Stars to face Guinea in back-to-back Africa Cup of Nation qualifiers, beginning tomorrow in Casablanca.
Taking over the reins of the Stars, albeit in a caretaker capacity, following the unceremonious sack of substantive coach, Kwasi Appiah, is in itself a big challenge for Konadu, more so when the team make an attempt to win back disappointed Ghanaian fans follwing an unimpressive World Cup campaign in Brazil.
He proved his competence by winning the Ghana Premier League title with Kotoko and also leading the local Black Stars to the final of this year’s African Nations Championship in South Africa early in the year, but tomorrow’s clash at the Mohammed V stadium in Casablanca provides another fine opportunity to make a statement about his readiness to step into the shoes of his former boss (Appiah).
After a frustrating opening 1-1 draw with the Cranes of Uganda in Kumasi, the Stars picked themselves up and posted an important 3-2 away victory over Togo to brighten their chances of qualifying for next year’s tournament in Morocco. And victory over the depleted Guineans tomorrow could push the Stars to the summit of the Group which is occupied by Uganda
Ahead of the match, confidence runs high in the Black Stars team
Apart from the inability of Spain-based goalie Razak Braimah to honour the call-up, Coach Konadu has the full complement of his team who looked determined to mainitain their winning run against a Guinean side which will be without captain Kamil Zayatte, Trabzonspor’s Kevin Constant and Guy Michel Landel.
Coach Michael Dussuyer looks a worried man whose side have picked up three points from the available six following the 2-1 win over Togo in the north African country.
