Our aim is to qualify for AFCON and do well – Hughton
Black Stars coach Chris Hughton has set his sights on qualifying for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and progressing to the knockout stages of the tournament.
The Black Stars will face Angola in a crucial qualifier on Thursday, with a victory bringing them closer to securing their spot in next year’s tournament in Ivory Coast.
“For me personally it will be a wonderful thing and of course hugely important to get the win but more importantly for the team. To win this game at home is hugely important.”
“Our aim is to qualify for AFCON and do well,” Hughton said at a pre-match press conference in Kumasi on Wednesday.
Hughton, who recently signed a contract until the end of 2024, is eager to improve on the team’s performance after disappointing performances last year in the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar where the Stars exited at the group stage.
The upcoming match against Angola is crucial for both teams, as they are currently tied on four points in the qualifiers.
The two sides will meet again on March 27 in Luanda for the return leg and a victory for either team in both matches would significantly improve their chances of qualifying for the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next year.