Black Meteors coach, Ibrahim Tanko, says he has mapped up a strategy that would help his team qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.
He said his team was ready for the task ahead as they clash with Cameroun in the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt on Friday.
“On the pitch, we will do our maximum best to win the game. My team is ready and we are to map up a strategy to help us qualify to the Olympics”, the Black Meteors head coach said in a pre-match press conference.
Ghana’s team consists of both local and foreign players and it is believed that the absence of football on the local scene could have a great impact on the team’s performance.
But the coach said his squad consisted of a blend of both local and foreign-based players who have been engaged in active football for their various foreign clubs and has, thus, parried any suggestions of rustiness due to lack of football activities in the country.
“It’s true we’ve not had competitive domestic football in about a year but we also have players in foreign leagues so we came here with a good blend of local and foreign-based players for this competition”.
The Ghanaian trainer also admitted that he did not get the full complement of the team he invited but that notwithstanding he still believed in the abilities of the players at his disposal and happy by their commitment so far.
“Though we didn’t get all the players we wanted I believe in the players I’ve invited and I believe they will show what they can do. I am very happy with the performance I’ve seen from them so far”
On their game against Cameroun, Coach Tanko said he once worked with their coach and knew him very well and was looking forward to playing against his friend in the competition.
“Rigo is a very good friend of mine and I worked with him when I was with Cameroon. We also speak every time we have the time. When I was coach he was the team manager so I am very happy that he’s qualified the team and am looking forward to the match, the former Indomitable Lions assistant coach said at the pre-match press conference.