Libya must not stand in our way -Appiah

Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah has given his assistant Maxwell Konadu the thumbs up to win Ghana’s first major trophy at senior level since 1982.

He made the comments in a phone interview with the Ghana Sports International shortly after Ghana’s domestic contingent of players qualified to the finals of the 2014 Championship of African Nations (CHAN).

The Black Stars beat their Nigerian counterparts 4-1 on penalties after a torrid 120 minutes in the second semi-final of the tournament; playing most of the game with ten men after left back Kwabena Adusei was shown a second yellow and red card for dangerous play.

Saturday would be the Black Stars second CHAN final after losing to DR Congo in the maiden edition hosted by Ivory Coast in 2009.

Coach Appiah’s confidence is mixed with caution as he believes Ghana must be totally focused and disciplined against the North Africans.

‘’The confidence of the boys has grown with each match and I believe they will peak just at the right time’’ The Black Stars coach who has been in South Africa since the start of the tournament to support his colleague and former team mate Maxwell Konadu, believes the Libyans will do all they can to ‘’stop’’ Ghana from winning her first CHAN trophy but; ‘’ We must focus on our game and play positive football’’.

‘’I believe strongly in the abilities of Maxwell Konadu and the fierce determination of these players. Let us all pray that they make Ghana proud by winning our first major trophy at senior level in 32 years’’.

Interestingly, an injured Kwasi Appiah was part of the victorious Black Stars squad that also featured a certain teenager called Abedi Pele when they beat Libya on penalties in the final.

On this occasion, the Ghanaians face a Libyan side they know pretty well after both teams played out a 1-1 draw in the group stages of the championship.