WAFU B U-20: Maxwell Konadu vows Ghana will fight to dethrone Nigeria
Ghana U-20 head coach Maxwell Konadu says the Black Satellites are ready to rise to the occasion when they face defending champions Nigeria in a blockbuster WAFU Zone B U-20 Championship opener.
The two West African giants meet on Monday, July 27, in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, with Ghana aiming to make an immediate statement in Group B.
Konadu knows the magnitude of the fixture, but insists his side has the preparation, mentality and quality to go toe-to-toe with the holders.
“We’ve prepared enough. We played a couple of friendly games before coming here, and I think for now the boys are ready for the impending assignment ahead of us,” Konadu said.
Ghana will, however, head into the clash without a key defensive midfielder, who suffered an injury in training and was ruled out of the trip.
But Konadu is refusing to dwell on the setback, insisting the rest of the squad must shoulder the responsibility.
“Our key and main defensive midfielder got hurt in training and couldn’t make the trip, but we are burdening everybody for this job, so we think we are okay living without him,” he added.
The Ghana boss expects a fierce contest between two traditional rivals, with national pride and regional supremacy at stake.
“Matches between these two nations are always top-liner. Everybody goes in with his full arsenal to try to carry the day,” Konadu said.
While Ghana are yet to see Nigeria in action at the tournament, Konadu is confident his players have what it takes to defend the country’s colours.
“We haven’t seen the team yet, but we think we have the boys who can really go out there and defend the flag of Ghana,” he said.
Nigeria’s aggressive approach is also on Konadu’s radar, with the Ghana coach calling on his players to respond with composure and quick ball movement.
“Nigeria has always been aggressive, which we are all aware. Let’s see how our boys will respond to that. Maybe we have to circulate the ball a bit faster than the threats they pose,” he explained.
The psychological battle, meanwhile, has already begun.
Konadu revealed that his technical team has worked to prepare the players mentally for the demands of the tournament, particularly against a Nigerian side arriving as defending champions.
“We know Nigeria are the defending champions, and we have to work a bit harder to dethrone them,” he said.
And Konadu has promised a fight.
“It’s going to be an interesting match. We’ll give them a very, very good match.”
With the Black Satellites determined to start their campaign with a statement victory, Monday’s showdown promises to be another chapter in one of African football’s fiercest rivalries.
