Qatar 2022 one of Akonnor’s main goals

Ghana coach Charles Akonnor

Wednesday Dec 30, 2020. 17:00

Ghana national team manager CK Akonnor has revealed that one of his primary goals is to take the Black Stars back to the World Cup in two years’ time.

Ghana, who appeared at three straight global showpieces from 2006 to 2014, missed out on Russia 2018.

Akonnor, who was appointed to his current role in January 2020 following the exit of James Kwesi Appiah, is aiming to secure qualification for the Qatar World Cup, which will be held at the back end of 2022.

“My aim and aspiration are to help Ghana qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup which would be staged in Qatar,” Akonnor told Kessben FM, as quoted by Goal.

“I want to qualify the nation for the next FIFA World Cup competition but that is not all as I would like and want my team to do well and make the country proud and everyone happy.”

Akonnor will also look to end the nation’s long wait for another Africa Cup of Nations title. The Black Stars are four-time AFCON champions, but the last title (1982) arrived almost 40 years ago.

“Winning the AFCON won’t come easy at all and I, therefore, urge all Ghanaians to come on board and offer their endless support to the Black Stars in our quest to win the coveted AFCON trophy again,” he added.

Akonnor also confirmed that he gave a half-time team talk for Asante Kotoko’s recent CAF Champions League home match against Al Hilal, which the Porcupine Warriors lost 1-0.

“I went into the dressing room with one motive, and that was to motivate the boys to play with their everything to get a good result before the second leg,” the 49-year-old explained.

“You know I’m the national team coach so I thought my presence in the team’s dressing room would be a good thing for the boys to do more because they know the Black Stars coach is around and a good performance would guarantee a call-up into the senior national team.”