Ghana is heading into a crucial Africa Cup of Nations match against Mozambique on Monday.
They are determined to avoid a repeat of their disastrous early exit from the tournament two years ago. So far, the Black Stars have only earned one point in Group B.
They lost 2-1 to Cape Verde in their first game and then drew 2-2 with Egypt. If they lose to Mozambique, who have never won a game in the African Cup of Nations in 14 attempts, Ghana will be eliminated. Even a draw would put them at risk of elimination.
However, a victory in Abidjan may not guarantee them a spot in the top two places in the group, but it would give them a good chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
“We are all aware that this is a situation that we would rather not be in,” Ghana coach Chris Hughton told reporters on Sunday.
“We would rather have more points, and we feel certainly from the performances and the goals we have conceded that we should be in a better position, but we are not.
“The conversation is not difficult. This is a game we have to win.”
Ghana has a proud history at the Cup of Nations, but they have not won the trophy since 1982 and have performed poorly in the last two tournaments.
In 2019, they were eliminated in the last 16 in Egypt, and two years ago in Cameroon, they were knocked out in the group stage.
During that time, they only managed to earn one point from their first two matches. In their final game against the Comoros, a team they were expected to beat easily, they suffered a 3-2 defeat, resulting in them finishing at the bottom of their group.
“If you concentrate too much on the past in a particular game, then it can affect your preparation and thinking,” Hughton said.
“We can only think about what is in front of us now and a tough game tomorrow.”
Hughton, a former Tottenham Hotspur player, also denied allegations that Ghana’s illustrious past was weighing on him and his squad.
“There is nobody associated with the Black Stars who is not conscious of the trophies we have won in the past, but this is a different year,” he said.
The coach stated that he hoped Anderlecht midfielder Majeed Ashimeru would be available after being substituted against Egypt due to a knock.
