Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah wants to move on from his side’s opening match with a strong performance against Mali in Thursday’s Group B clash.
The Black Stars started the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations with 2-2 draw against DR Congo, after allowing their opponents to come from two goals down to tie the game.
But Appiah says the Black Stars have opportunity to get themselves in good position of progressing from the group stage when they play Mali in Port Elizabeth.
“After the first game the technical team and the playing body were not happy. At the moment, we’ve psyched ourselves up and we are fully prepared. As to any anxiety, we believe it’s not going to be easy but we are going to give all our best,” Appiah said on the eve of the game.
Mali won their opening game to lead the standings after Ghana could only pick a point from their first match, leaving an optimistic Appiah to expect a tough meeting.
“Mali has got a very good team. We played two games with them during the Cup of Nations last year and this year, they are one of the countries who have won their first game and it shows that they are a very good side.
“We will go out there and give them one of our best games,” he said.
Appiah says he has watched their next opponents but believes that rather than play to counter the Malians, his team will need to impose their game.
“I have had lots of information on them but it is important that we plan our own strategies and make sure that they don’t play a different tactic. And that is the most difficult part, you plan your tactics to suit what you’ve seen but you get on the pitch and a different strategy is been planned.
“But what you need to do is to plan yours so that no matter their tactic you will be able to overcome whatever tactics they adopt,” Appiah said in response to a question about the strength of the Ghana team going into Thursday’s game.