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Black Stars head coach CK Akonnor stood in front of the Ghana Football Association media team on Friday, September 25, when he announced his squad for next month’s international friendly – a trip to Antalya, Turkey, to confront West African neighbors Mali.
Our head coach was asked about his mood for his first competitive game, the exclusion of Mohammed Salisu, the inclusion of John Antwi, Kamal Deen and more.
Read on for a full transcript:
IN LUMOR AGBENYENU
With Lumor, when we had the opportunity to play against South Africa, they invited him but he got injured and now he’s back, fit and that’s why I thought it necessary to bring him on board.
IN YAKUBU MOHAMMED
He is a new boy, well known in this country through the ranks of Aduana Stars and now with Azam FC where he is captain of the team. His situation is exceptional because he can play in many different positions, keeping the midfielder and the right back, but his main position is central. We want to have the opportunity to see it in different areas of the game. I’ve been monitoring him for over a month because they just started and in the first match, he didn’t play, but now he’s at the top of his game.
IN ALEXANDER DJIKU
I’m personally excited for him because at one point, we weren’t sure if he really wanted to come. He had no problems changing nationality, but the decision to come and play. You have now decided to come and I am very excited about it.
IN WHAT DJIKU BRINGS TO THE TABLE
Bring a lot of competition to the game. Not only is he a center back, but he can also play a support role, depending on which area you want to go to in terms of when you go to away games. If you want to be more defensive, he is an option and brings a lot of experience. I saw him in Strasbourg when I went to watch him play, he was really good and personally I’m happy he’s coming.
DEBUT CALL FOR EMMANUEL LOMOTEY
When he played for the U-23 he did very well and I think he deserves a chance. Now he has moved from Spain to France and in his second game he was the man of the match. He has done well for himself and is improving so I think he deserves a chance. I’ve had personal conversations with him in that sense purely from his acting, and I’m not the only person who thinks he’s doing well. When he was with the U23, he did very well and this is a progression of what he has done.
This is a friendly match and I think it is an opportunity for him. You are not here to stay, you will only stay with your performance and therefore you have to convince everyone that you are capable of doing it. I personally know it can, so I give it a chance.
EUGENE ANSAH
I like players who, at any given time, can bring confusion to the opponent’s defense, constantly disrupt in terms of causing problems, trying to create chances and score goals and is one of the types that takes risks and is also good in situations. one against one. He attacks and he likes to score and that is why we are looking forward to getting players who are constant in that sense. We are not looking for players who after five minutes of action, twenty minutes before have another chance. We want constant players and I see it as one. I know there are other players who, due to circumstances, are not there, but we are giving Eugene Ansah a chance. We have two games and all these players will have the opportunity to show their talents and show us that they are equally good and are there to stay.
WHY SALISU MOHAMMED IS NOT PART OF THE TEAM
He’s not on the team because I heard his coach talk about him in terms of fitness. They watch October after the national games, before I come back. Based on that, I want to give him a chance to kick back and get in shape and start a game in Southampton and then we’ll be looking forward to having him on board.
IN BERNARD MENSAH
After he came to play, we didn’t see him much, but now he’s proving to be good. He was once in a club and moved to Besiktas, which tells the whole story about him and I’ve seen him on several occasions and watched him closely. He is one of the guys when given the necessary opportunity and confidence can bring changes in the way we move forward. His style of play and the way he controls the game, I personally want to control the game in terms of possession and he, Partey and the rest are there to do that job and it is a great opportunity for him to come, play, do. good and stay and not go and return.
IN JEFFERY SCHLUPP
He is someone who brings strength and speed to the game, speed of thought and we have already seen what he has done with Crystal Palace in the past, currently in good shape and recently he beat the great Manchester United where he played an important role. I had a personal chat with him when I was there, one by one, he told me about his problems and I think that once we can give him that opportunity and the necessary respect, he deserves, why not, he is here and most of these. the guys are here to prove a point. Don’t forget this is a friendly match and I think before November we need to know exactly who can help us in the playoffs and that is why all these opportunities have come for these guys.
IN KAMAL DEEN
Good player, young man and I think he needs patience and time. I think we have to start developing and looking at the next 4 or 5 years, these are the guys and once we can start with people like that, we will motivate them little by little. We are not going to push them too hard, but to develop them slowly in the team. He reminds me of Jeremy Doku but sadly he went to Belgium. He has that kind of style and ability to play like him and I think you need to bring him in to see him and also be around the team to see players like Dede Ayew, the captain, Jordan Ayew and others who will. Help him be a better player on the National Team.
IN JOHN ANTWI
John Antwi, Odartey and I dug him up at Eleven Wise and he has done well ever since. The last time we had the calls, he was not part of the team because I personally was not very convinced, he should be part of the team at that time. I’m looking for consistency with the team and now I think he has shown beyond any doubt that he is good, he scored more than 100 goals, now I think 102. He deserves a chance because he has done well. The Egyptian league is not an easy league that you can ignore. He has done well and deserves a chance. All these new guys have the opportunity, we want people who can help us improve and also win the AFCON.
IT’S YOU TENSIONED ENTERING YOUR DEBUT GAME HOW BLACK STARS COACH?
I can only be proud of myself and the things I have done. I can only thank the Ghanaians for giving me that opportunity and, even more so, the Football Association, the Ministry and the Government for bringing someone to do this work. I’m certainly happy and I want to do this at the highest level of my own understanding in this game and I need the support of each and every Ghanaian.
I am not tense; This is a friendly match and it is important for me to delve into it and see who can help the team and improve it. We want to be a team that attacks and plays constructive football, calm football, but with a lot of discipline.
I want to try everything I can to bring our style of play, I’ve been here for a while and everyone knows how I’m doing with my team, how they play and that’s the way Ghana plays, and that’s why I want to. do my best in that area.
I am not perfect, I will need anyone’s advice, help and support and once we do this this will be ours so let’s get it right with no misunderstandings. We do not agree, agree, but the fundamental thing is to hit the target, which is for us to win the AFCON.
ON THE MALI TEAM
Mali is a strong team, we have seen a couple of games that they played in AFCON, a very strong force and it is a very good test for us. We want to go there and try our best to do our best and of course win that match.
ABOUT LINKING WITH PLAYERS DURING THE REST
Yes, of course, the most important thing is the big five of the team, Wakasso, Dede Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Partey and Ofori. I have also been able to involve the other players and what I have done is communicate positively with them on the way forward, what should be done, what cannot be accepted in the team and all that.
The message is clear and they know what to do when the time is right. I expect a very good response, a disciplined team. Apart from the fact that when we go out onto the field to play, behavior off the pitch is also key for us.
These are things that I have done and of course I have learned about the game in terms of how to approach it, how to give players opportunities, make them feel comfortable when they come to play. I have been positively involved in all these areas and I think that what we have ahead is difficult, but it can be done in a positive way.
MESSAGE TO THE WINNERS
We thank the president, Nana Addo, for giving us that opportunity. Yes, football is back, it brings back love, I think we should all embrace it, work hard to achieve it, love it and even if there is negativity, let’s leave it out, try as much as we can to bring out the positivity in the team and make sure that let’s have a positive spirit. I think we will or will return to do what is expected of us.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
