Soccer News of Sunday, 24 March 2013

Source: ghanafa

Appiah: Sudan game is the most important

Ghana coach Kwasi Appiah has urged his Black Stars not to look at the table rather concentrate on their FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Sudan.

The Black Stars head into the match in Kumasi sitting second and three points behind Zambia in the group and know nothing less than three points are likely keep them in the hunt of reaching the top.

Kwesi Appiah says there is still a long road to go in the second round qualifying campaign, which reaches the halfway stage this weekend.

"Our first two games mean nothing now. The most important game for us is the game against Sudan and that is what we are focusing on now," Appiah said.

"It is a long road to reaching the finals in Brazil. And we must beat them [Sudan] to stay on track. The table is a reflection of results so far but our campaign has always been in our hands.

"We must focus on beating Sudan and see where that takes us."

After consecutive appearances at the finals in 2006 and 2010, the hopes of a third depends on what the present generation of Black Stars achieve in the qualifiers.

For Appiah, the Black Stars can draw inspiration from two previous World Cup appearances in their bid to secure qualification for the 2014 finals in Brazil.

"The World Cup is a great sporting event that every player dreams of. A few members of the present team have had that opportunity but I believe the rest can draw motivation from that.

"They should have that desire of wanting to be in Brazil and make sure that they carry that dream through.

"We need to go out there and take the points and keep on like that," the Ghana coach said.