Sports News of Thursday, 14 November 2019

Source: goal.com

Andre Ayew welcomes South Africa pressure

Black Stars captain, Andre Ayew Black Stars captain, Andre Ayew

Ghana captain Andre Ayew has revealed how hosting South Africa in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Cape Coast is an added motivation to win all three points in their encounter on Thursday.

Their first assignment since a disappointing Round of 16 elimination at the 2019 championship, the Black Stars are set to face Bafana Bafana in a Group C matchday one fixture in the race to Cameroon 2021.

Owing to the recent disappointment in Egypt, James Kwesi Appiah's side are under pressure to make amends with a good result on Thursday.

"It won't be an easy match but we want to win in front of our fans," Ayew said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

"A football player is one who wants to get back from a setback. We want to do well for our country and we want to qualify from this group.

"There is always a responsibility on us to make sure we make our country proud. We accept this responsibility.

"We won't always get it right but we are determined to be up there again. You don't play in the national team without pressure.

"As the leader of the side, it is my responsibility to psyche up my colleagues and make sure that we make our nation proud always."

Thursday's fixture kicks off at 19:00 GMT.

After the match, Ghana next play away to Sao Tome and Principe on matchday two on Monday.