Doha, Qatar – Ghana’s nationwide soccer workforce captain Andre Ayew is assured that the Black Stars will likely be a troublesome workforce to beat on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in Qatar on November 20.
The Ghana squad needs to be match so as to placed on the efficiency he’s hoping for, Ayew, who performs for Al Sadd soccer membership in Qatar’s capital Doha, emphasised.
After lacking the 2018 event, the Black Stars certified for this 12 months’s occasion, the place they’re in the identical group as South Korea, Portugal and Uruguay, the workforce that knocked them out of the 2010 version in South Africa.
Al Jazeera spoke to Ayew in regards to the nationwide facet’s preparation, possibilities and expectations, in addition to the advantage of his expertise taking part in in Qatar.
Al Jazeera: The World Cup is lower than two months away. How is the Black Stars’ preparation?
Ayew: Every thing is in place for us to have a profitable World Cup. We will need to have one of the best preparation potential however, most significantly, your entire gamers should be match at the moment. We performed Brazil, we’ll play Nicaragua and Switzerland earlier than the World Cup. They’re all large video games that will likely be powerful though they’re friendlies.
These matches are helpful as a result of we put ourselves to the take a look at and are available again as a workforce to keep up bonding and unity. Usually, now we have two to a few weeks earlier than the World Cup, however this time we solely have about 9 days. It’s not ideally suited however now we have to adapt.
Al Jazeera: What are Ghana’s probabilities of reaching the knockout stage from the so-called “Group of Demise”?
Ayew: We’ve an opportunity. No one sees us as favourites, which is anticipated. So we all know we’re not going into any of the matches as favourites however we’re there to struggle and make an impression. Little question will probably be a really tough group for each workforce and all now we have to do is be prepared, centered, decided, full squad and have a little bit of luck.
If now we have our full squad, we are able to significantly disrupt plenty of groups. I’m not involved as a result of I do know what Ghana is able to.
Al Jazeera: Will the sport between Ghana and Uruguay be a revenge mission after the heartbreak of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa?
Ayew: As workforce chief, I don’t consider we must always view this recreation as revenge. As a substitute, we should be sensible sufficient to recognise that it’s a match we want factors from. We will’t ignore historical past, however what Luis Suarez [Uruguay footballer] did is one thing I may have completed in the identical scenario [used his hand to stop a goal-bound shot in 2010]. It damage us all. However that’s a part of soccer and it occurred years in the past.
We simply wish to win in opposition to Uruguay after every thing that has been mentioned within the media. As a participant, for those who go right into a recreation with the intent of retaliation, you can also make plenty of errors and be hyper. We simply want to remain calm, comply with the plan and attempt to win the sport, or do no matter we are able to to advance to the following stage.
Al Jazeera: What are Ghanaians’ expectations of the Black Stars within the World Cup? Can they be met?
Ayew: Ghanaians count on tenacity, willpower and a willingness to die for the jersey. Once you come to the World Cup, you face super-strong sides and we’ve proven over time that we are able to compete with them and, in some instances, beat them.
However compete and present that you’re keen to die to your nation. If it ends in a passable final result, thank God. If it doesn’t, so long as the complete nation feels they’ve represented the nation and Africa in the correct method, that’s an important factor for me.
We’re within the World Cup not solely to showcase Ghanaian soccer, however Africa as effectively. As a result of there are solely 5 African representatives, all groups will obtain African help at any time when they play and that is how we must always at all times be behind our personal fellow brothers so as to make historical past on this event.
Throughout the African Cup of Nations, we’re all combating for our international locations, however in the course of the World Cup, we’re all combating for the continent. Additionally, if we are able to current a great picture of Africa on the sector and compete in opposition to the highest groups, everybody will likely be happy.
Al Jazeera: Ought to Africa have extra slots at a World Cup ranging from 2026?
Ayew: If now we have extra groups, that will likely be incredible. It’s about time. We’ve essentially the most international locations, however we’re underrepresented, and the African qualifiers are at all times tough and annoying. We’ve plenty of large groups, and the expectations are excessive, so will probably be tough for the entire large groups to qualify with solely 5 slots.
If we are able to safe extra berths, we could have a greater probability of seeing an African workforce attain the semi-finals and even win the World Cup.
Al Jazeera: What are your ideas on the brand new gamers who’ve switched allegiance to play for the Black Stars? Will they strengthen the workforce?
Ayew: The gamers are good, and qualifying for the World Cup makes you very enticing. Why not let the boys come? The door is open for any Ghanaian who needs to play for and assist the nation, however you will need to include the identical willpower you place into your membership, the identical need, and you can not count on every thing in your European membership to be the identical within the nationwide workforce as a result of there’s a time for the workforce to adapt.
I absolutely help them and want them one of the best of luck, particularly if you include a powerful need to succeed. When you could have the correct perspective and need to sweat for the Ghana jersey, I’m greater than keen to welcome you, though I’m not the coach however a longtime member of the workforce.
The newcomers are proficient, however we have already got a powerful workforce that certified for the World Cup, so each place is aggressive. Aside from senior gamers who could have a bonus, I consider nobody is assured a spot within the squad simply but. Everybody should show their high quality on the sector and everybody has an opportunity, giving the coach extra choices and options, formations, and I consider it’s helpful to have new gamers with the correct mentality.