Kwesi Appiah to focus on ‘performance’ in USA friendlies

The Ghana coach talks about his objective for the upcoming exhibition games

Ghana coach James Kwesi Appiah says he will mainly be watching out for how the Black Stars play in the upcoming double-header of friendlies in the USA.

Fresh from a 5-0 humiliation of Ethiopia in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Black Stars are set to face Mexico at Houston's NRG Stadium in Texas on June 28.

The 2015 Afcon finalists then play the USA at the Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut, three days later.

"Although friendlies, we attach importance to them because they are part of our team strengthening exercise," Appiah told the Graphic Sports.

"The performance and results are both important for us.

"But our priority will be on performance."

The friendlies will serve as preparatory games ahead of resumption of the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in August.

After matchday two, the Black Stars trail group leaders Egypt by five points, and will need to win their remaining matches to stand any chance of reaching a fourth successive World Cup.