Black Stars head coach, CK Akonnor has rejected claims he is under tremendous pressure to win the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to be held in Cameroon.
Ghana have not been able to clinch the trophy since 1982. The upcoming edition’s draw was made on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, and Ghana was drawn alongside Morocco, Comoros Island and Gabon in Group C.
Speaking after the draw, coach Akonnor asserted that he doesn’t feel any pressure to win the Afcon title.
“I think the draw is okay. I didn’t come here [to Cameroon] with expectations of which group I want to be in or not. Nowadays, football is evolving and so you cannot expect weaker things.
“We are preparing feverishly for the tournament and the World Cup qualifiers and I’m sure we will be ready.
“I am not under any pressure [to win the tournament]. You guys [the media] give me pressure back home but for me, I don’t care,” he told TV3.
The 24-team tournament is scheduled for January 9 to February 6, 2022. Ghana will begin their journey on January 10 against Morocco, a side that beat them 1-0 in an international friendly in June this year.
“I think we had a strong friendly with Morocco a few months ago and thank God they are in our group. It gives us an idea of the opponent. I am thankful to the Ghana FA for organizing the friendly,” Akonnor added.
Ghana will be housed in Yaoundé to play Gabon four days after the Atlas Lions game before their final stage game against Afcon debutants Comoros on January 18 in Garoua.
