Kwesi Nyantakyi: Ghana must win 2013 African Cup of Nations

Oct 17, 2012 8:40:00 AM

The federation supremo has praised the team for his recent success expressed his firm belief that their current coach can finally lead the side to glory on the continent

EXCLUSIVE
By Juliet Bawuah

Ghana FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi has lauded trainer Kwesi Appiah after he became the 12th local coach to guide the Black Stars to the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

On Saturday the team beat Malawi 1-0 in Lilongwe to complete a comprehensive 3-0 aggregate win which gave them a ticket to the continental showpiece.

Appiah joins ex-greats comprising Herbert Addo, Sam Arday, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, E.J. Aggrey-Fynn, CK Gyamfi, Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie, and Fred Osam Duodu amongst others to have achieved the feat.

“It’s the first vindication from appointing Kwesi Appiah. For me I think that he is doing well and he will still get all the support from us,” Nyantakyi told Goal.com Ghana.

"I’m very happy we qualified to Afcon 2013. It didn’t come on a silver platter, collectively they have all done an amazing job.”

The president of the federation has also tasked Appiah to craft a formidable squad that will be capable of ending their 31-year wait for an African crown.

"I told the technical team they should keep calm on the celebration and strategise for the Nations Cup. We must ensure that we do everything necessary to win the tournament, and the qualifier for 2014 World Cup as well,” Nyantakyi added.

The Black Stars are looking ahead to next week’s draw in South Africa where they will know their opponents for the tournament which will be played from January 19 to February 10, 2013.

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

Real Madrid are better off without Mourinho
The Portuguese's position had become untenable in recent weeks, especially after Friday's debacle in the Copa del Rey. Now he's leaving, but the club can grow stronger without him
AVB, Levy & Lewis to thrash out Tottenham plans
After missing out on a place in the Champions League, the north London side are devising a way to keep Gareth Bale at the club and attract new stars to White Hart Lane
Bayern's jinx - CL final referee Nicola Rizzoli
Goal takes a look at the career of the Italian arbiter to date following Uefa's decision to appoint the 41-year-old for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley
Cartoon: Casillas' birthday wish comes true
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day
Goal's Serie A awards for 2012-13
Goal crowns the best and worst from Italy over the course of the season