Chris Hughton: Ghana's final AFCON qualifier is must-win
Coach of the Black Stars, Chris Hughton, says Ghana's final game in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Central African Republic in Ghana in September is a must-win for his team to ensure qualification to the continental showpiece in Cote d'Ivoire next year.
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According to him, they are aware of the consequences should they fail to win which means they must do everything possible to pick the maximum points.
Speaking on his strategy for the final game after his side were held to a goalless draw by Madagascar in Antananarivo on Sunday, the coach said he was hoping that he would have all the injured players back into the squad before they play the last game.
“Our strategy for the next match is to win. We are playing at home. We know we have to get the result and obviously it’s a game we know the consequences if we don’t win. From here, we have a break.
“The players will have to go back to their clubs, and they will start preseason and we will be ready for the game in September.
“We have some players missing today so hopefully those players will be available in September. We will be going into another difficult game against Central African Republic, and we have to win," he stated.
Ghana leads the Group E log with nine points from five matches, followed in second position by Angola (eight points) with third-placed Central African Republic on seven points.
The top three teams have a fair chance of qualifying with a win, making the final group games dicey for Ghana who must avoid a loss to make it to the AFCON for the 10th consecutive time since the 2006 tournament in Egypt.
