2018 World Cup: Konadu wants ‘excellent preparations’

Ghana assistant coach Maxwell Konadu says massive government support and excellent preparations will help the Black Stars defeat their opponents in their tricky qualifying group to reach the 2018 World Cup.

The four-time African champions were on Friday drawn in Group E to face the resurgent Egypt, Congo and Uganda.

The three-time World Cup participants have been reeling from their participation at the global tournament in Brazil in 2014 which ended in disgrace.

Sports minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye has been at loggerheads with the federation and players of the Black Stars which has sparked fears that it could scupper Ghana's chances.

Constant public attacks on the team and the federation looks to have heightened the lack of interest in the side as previous government support has ensured smooth qualification.

Governments in Ghana have used the country's qualification for the World Cup as political capital, counting the feat as part of their sporting achievements.

As such the qualification of the Black Stars does not only benefit the players and country but also politicians who don't want to be left out of that record of helping the country to reach the global competition.

With the qualifiers looming and the prospect of facing some of the tricky sides, Konadu asserts that only quality preparations and support from the country's leaders will help them secure Group E's sole ticket for the tournament in Russia.

"Preparation is very key and it's everything. It's a very tight draw," the former international striker Konadu said.

Ghana smashed the then ageing Egyptian side 6-1 in Kumasi in their final qualifier to reach the tournament in Brazil.

Since then Egypt has revived under new coach Hector Cuper with new and talented players Ramadan Sobhi, Mohammed Salah and Mohammed Geddo.

Congo have also seen some recent impressive performances while Uganda proved a stubborn side in their two previous matches where the Cranes took four points out of the maximum six.

Konadu quickly distances the performance then to the current stand of the two teams.

"A lot has changed. Consider the factors between that time and now," he said.

"The mood around the team was different with massive support from the fans and the government so we must place premium on preparations."

Ghana will start their qualifiers at home against Congo in October before travelling to Cairo a month later to play Egypt.