Kwesi Appiah: Reaching World Cup Is Enough Motivation

If Ghana finishes top in Group D in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying, most of the plaudits will almost certainly be for the players. However, if the Ghanaian dream finally does come true, the responsibility will be down to the quiet man at the helm - Kwesi Appiah. Appiah, himself a former Ghana captain shoulders the weight of expectation even in difficult circumstances as an expectant nation dreams of a third successive appearance at the World Cup. This week, he has his eye fixed on battles to come in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup with two big away games against Sudan and Lesotho over a ten-day period in June. With the qualifiers coming just after the busy and long European season, Appiah faces the arduous assignment of focusing his Black Stars players - the bulk who play in Europe - for the continental qualifiers. Such is the football calendar that Appiah and a host of other coaches on the continent have to deal with. �Back in March, we knew what was awaiting us - when the first leg of the qualifiers came to end,� Black Stars coach, Kwesi Appiah told www.ghanafa.org. �With the major leagues in Europe where the majority of my players play having come to end, I expected some tired legs and burn outs. But we have to ensure that we work with them and get them ready. �But nobody can question the efforts of my players. I am really happy with their efforts. We will be working hard until the end. �We are preparing for two extremely difficult encounters which we need to give more than hundred percent to get results. �However, to play at the World Cup should provide enough motivation for us to approach these games in the right frame of mind.� Getting results is certainly crucial as the Black Stars are just one point adrift leaders, Zambia with three matches left to play. Ghana play Sudan in Khartoum on June 7 before flying out to Maseru to meet Lesotho on June 16 in the penultimate second round fixture. Appiah insists Ghana will take one match at a time but reminds his team that there will be no margin for error. �Winning is very important for us. We go into every game to win but I don't have to put any pressure on my players, they know what is at stake. �We only need to motivate ourselves that we can succeed. ,� Appiah added. The Black Stars will depart to Ethiopia on Thursday for camping where they will be camping until 5th June when they arrive in Khartoum for the Sudan game. Ghana will then travel to Johannesburg on 9th June and they will train in the South African capital for four days before departing to Maseru for the match against Lesotho.