AFCON 2019: 'Past records does not matter' - Coach Appiah

James Kwesi Appiah, Head Coach of the Senior National Team, the Black Stars have said past records between Ghana and Tunisia, will not be a deciding factor in the round of 16 clashes between the two sides on Monday, July 8, at the Ismailia Stadium.

He said past victories over Tunisia in previous AFCON would not be a guarantee for another victory, but rather hard work and dedication.

Appiah who made this known at Ismailia in a pre-match conference said, Ghana was preparing well of the all-important 1/16th clash against the North Africans and was confident his team would not let him down.

“It is true we have had good results over our opponents in our past meetings, but modern football has gone past previous glories.

“I have always said and maintained that there are no minnows in this modern game of football, each country that has qualified to this stage deserve to be here and we have to treat each opponent with the maximum respect.

“Though we are poised to have good results against them again, the scenarios have always been different but I have so much trust and believe in my team heading into this game and I am sure they would give Ghanaians something to smile about,” he said.

According to Appiah, he had a good idea of the Tunisians and how they would play tomorrow and I believe they won’t be a pushover.

“Personally I know Tunisia is not a small team to just walk over, we all need to work hard and make sure we give spectators a very good game to watch because both teams play good football.

“It is always important to encourage your players to give their best performance every game and give them that self-belief, which serves as a morale booster and encouragement and I believe that my players are good and I have total confidence in them that tomorrow they will deliver for us to make it to the next round,” he added.

Ghana takes on the Cartage Eagles of Tunisia at the Ismailia Sports Stadium on July 8.

Both countries have met on 17 occasions with Ghana winning ten of those games as Tunisia has won four, with three ending in a stalemate.