Gambia assistant coach Abdou Jammeh has stated that his players are motivated by the pride of representing their country ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ghana. The Scorpions travel to Ghana on the back of a 2-1 victory over Somalia in their Group C opener, giving them an early confidence boost. Ghana, by contrast, are looking to bounce back after suffering a 2-0 loss to Côte d'Ivoire in their first match.
Jammeh insists that his players need no extra motivation from the coaching staff ahead of the crunch tie. "Playing for the national team or representing your country is the only motivation. We don't need to motivate any of our players," he said. The assistant coach elaborated that the players are fully conscious of what is expected of them when they pull on the Gambian shirt.
The Scorpions are currently level at the top of Group C with Côte d'Ivoire following the opening round of fixtures. A positive result against Ghana would consolidate their standing and put further distance between them and the Black Stars. For Ghana, the pressure is considerable, with a second consecutive defeat leaving Otto Addo's side in serious danger of an early exit from the qualification campaign.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has urged the public to remain calm, insisting the team's poor form is down to challenges that can be fixed. The Portuguese coach also had a clear message for fans planning to attend Ghana's upcoming fixture. Queiroz's comments come as Ghana seeks to rediscover their form on home soil.
The contrast in morale heading into the fixture is stark, with Gambia carrying the momentum of a winning start while Ghana seeks to bounce back from a disappointing loss. The match at home is a must-win situation for Ghana, who are currently at the bottom of the group.
Jammeh's subtle warning ahead of the fixture is a testament to the confidence within the Gambian camp. The Scorpions are focused on delivering the best result they can have, according to Jammeh. The team's players are motivated by the pride of representing their country, and they are ready for the challenge ahead.
The 2027 AFCON qualifier between Ghana and Gambia takes place on Tuesday in Accra. The match is a crucial tie for both teams, with significant implications for their qualification campaign. The winner will gain an advantage in Group C, while the loser will face an uphill task to qualify for the tournament.
Key points
- Gambia assistant coach Abdou Jammeh says his players are motivated by pride of representing their country ahead of AFCON 2027 qualifier against Ghana.
- Ghana are under pressure to win the match after suffering a 2-0 loss to Côte d'Ivoire in their first match.
- A positive result for Gambia would consolidate their standing in Group C and put distance between them and Ghana.
