It will be ideal to qualify – Tetteh

Black Satellites’ coach, Sellas Tetteh has said Ghana will not leave it late to conclude qualification to the final four when they face Zambia in a second Group B match on Thursday.

Ghana are at the apex of Group B following an open day victory over South Africa and Tetteh, insists his charges will seek to finish the business before their final match against Mali on Sunday.

He told GNA Sports that,”It is good we won the first game. A win Thursday takes us to the last four which we dream of because we want to qualify for the World Cup.

“Thursday’s game is very important to us and it will be ideal to qualify instead of leaving it to the wire. We are well prepared because we know we have an opportunity to qualify and we know it will be against a team that is wounded and will fire from all cylinders.

“We are ready.  Our nearest challenge is Zambia and we want to win. It will be good for us to be the first team to qualify out of the group.”

The coach said of his approach to the match the Zambians has christened “do or die”. “They choose to call is any name. We just want to ensure less mistakes, pick opportunities when they come and see how it goes.

“In football there is no do or die. We just want to make sure we get our choices well, take opportunities and be sure of what we are doing.”

On injury concerns, Tetteh hinted that captain Owusu Bempah who got injured in the match against South Africa could be available for selection.

“Football is a contact sport and you cannot do without knocks. We had a few knocks in the last game but our competent medical team has taken care of those who picked up knocks against South Africa.”

Ghana, perennial favourites of the tournament and winners in 1993, 1999 and 2009, are chasing a fourth continental glory at the biennial  tournament of eight teams.

Source: GNA