We need six points: Bjorkegren demands focus as Black Stars prepare for Somalia Qualifiers

Black Stars head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren says Ghana must take six points from the double-header against Somalia, starting with Thursday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, insisting the team must respect the opposition but believe in its own quality to deliver a win in front of the Takoradi crowd.

Speaking to the press in Takoradi on Wednesday ahead of the first of the two games, Bjorkegren reflected on his first days in charge, what he brings to the team, his message to the players, the return of key players, and the impact of playing in front of the home fans.

Here is what he had to say:

On what he’s been up to since appointment

I have been doing my best, I must say. I've been around a little bit in Europe and watched some players, I've tried to connect with more or less all of the players by phone. And now that we have been here in Ghana, we have been trying to do our best with the two trainings that we have had so far. We will have another one today. There have been some meetings, of course, where we have discussed how we want to be tomorrow, how we want to play, how we want to create chances, how we want to go forward, score goals, and the most important, how we want to win this game tomorrow.

On what he brings to the team as a coach

No, to be honest, it's not about me. Some people maybe think about it that way, but I don't think it is. For me, it's all about doing the best for the players. Of course, my job is also to support them, to let them know that I'm there, to give them a game plan that is not too difficult, but in the same way that, like I said, we have been talking about where we think that we can create chances from when it comes to the opponent, in this case, Somalia. We know that we have so many quality players in the team, so as long as we see them with good energy, good fighting spirit, team spirit and everything like that, I'm not that worried about the game.

On message to players about the two matches

Yeah, it's super clear. It's not a secret that we need six points, but we need to take it. It's old school, but we need to take the game tomorrow to start with. It will not be easy. We saw it when Somalia, for example, played against Ivory Coast. They were really close to take a point there. They had a great fighting spirit. They make it difficult for the opponent, so we need to respect them, but in the same way, believing in ourselves.

On having Kudus, Partey, Jordan, Salisu and other key players back in the team

This is the first camp as a head coach I'm doing with the Black Stars, but so far they have been great, I would say. And of course, when it comes to good, experienced players, in a little bit difficult situation where we are right now, I think it can be helpful. Of course, a little bit of pressure when it comes to performing good results, but the players you talked about, they are there and they are used to delivering under pressure. So I think, again, I'm coming back to, I think the most important thing for them will be to feel that they have the freedom to do what they can and then just work hard together as a group.

On playing in front of the Takoradi crowd and its impact

Yeah, we have talked a little bit about it. Not so much, of course, the focus has been on ourselves and those kinds of things. But what I said is that we had a great experience here. We really enjoyed it when we were here last time. We had a great support. So together with the fans, it's going to be a great day tomorrow. So just enjoy the day tomorrow, that's all.

On what he brings on board

A win. I mean, that's simple like that, what we need. But I keep saying the same thing. It's not just about me. There is not something specific I need to do more than let the guys know that they are so good. So as long as they are doing what they can do, what they are doing in the club teams and just support each other on the pitch tomorrow, if we can keep a good energy out there, then I'm pretty sure that we're going to have a good result.

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