Black Stars coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren says his players are hungry to show Ghana how good they are, as the team prepares for Monday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Somalia.
Speaking to the press on Sunday ahead of the return fixture at the Sekondi Stadium, Bjorkegren reflected on team preparation, his approach to the game, injuries in camp, and Ghana’s chances of making it to the 2027
Here is what he said:
On team preparation since Thursday
Yeah, it's not so much time we have together, of course, so it's a little bit special to come in pretty late, like I talked about before, but with a new group and a new staff. But the players are doing well. They look relaxed. Of course, it helps to win the game. And we're building from there now. We think that we did many things good. I think we played pretty well in 70 or 90 minutes, but there's also in some areas we can improve. And we have watched the videos, and we think that we have a clear picture of what we can do even better in the game tomorrow.
0n approach to the game
Yeah, I mean, the most important thing is to make sure that we take six points in this camp. That's absolutely the most important. But, like what you said as well, if we can score some goals, it's going to be positive. But I do think if we start to talk too much about that we want to win with big numbers, then it's easy that we, instead, maybe not going to win the game. So, I think the start always needs to come out strong to make sure that we will win the game. And if it's 2-0, for example, in the end of the game, then potentially try to go for three or four or something like that. Because I do think that the goal difference can be important in the end. But we need to start to make sure that we are winning the game.
On Thomas Partey
So, a big respect to Thomas.
On injury situation in camp
Most of the players are doing well. They're recovering very well, I would say. It will probably be a couple of changes. But it's still one more day to go. So, we will see what happens over the night.
On Caleb Yirenkyi
We will see. He will probably do a little bit more today and then we will have a chat. It includes the doctor as well, of course. And then we will see if he's ready to go or not. So, let's wait and see.
On areas that need improvement
Yes, we had a very clear game plan in the first game. We did many things good. But we think we can do it even better in the next one. So, it's more that we're coming back to the same thing that we spoke about before the first game. We can be a little bit more dangerous when it comes to the final third, when it comes to taking explosive runs inside of the box, which area we should attack. And those kinds of things. We also think that we can take more attacking runs, maybe play the ball forward more times. Keep up the tempo, if possible, for 90 minutes, even if I know that the heat is a difficult aspect. But there are areas we can improve for sure.
On what to ensure consistency of results in the Black Stars
It's difficult to say in sports and football. Sometimes a win can build confidence and change everything. So, of course, it always helps to win football games and then things can change very, very fast. I think that we need to stabilise things. Of course, there are questions that are not mine, but I think I'm the third coach now in a half year and the people in and around have been different. The players are the same. So, to stay with the same group more or less, of course, helps. Good results. More good results in a row will also help us. And I mean, the potential in the group is huge. We know it. I mean, it's so high. So, if we qualify for the AFCON, we can absolutely go all the way. But it's a lot of hard work to do first. And hopefully we can bring in another three points tomorrow and make sure that we're putting ourselves in a good position in the group so we can be a part of the tournament next time.
On making it to 2027 AFCON
You never know, but I believe a lot in this group. I can feel there is a good energy. I can feel that they are motivated. I can feel that they are hungry. They are hungry to show for themselves how good they are. They are hungry to show their family how good they are. The boys are also extremely hungry to show the whole Ghana and all the fans how good they are. So, I'm pretty sure we're going to see a good performance tomorrow and that we take it from there.
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