Former Ghana goalkeeper Abukari Damba has urged the Black Stars to “go all out” for victory when they face The Gambia in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Tuesday.
Ghana will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing start to their qualifying campaign after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in Bouake last Thursday.
Damba expects The Gambia to pose a difficult challenge, particularly after the Scorpions secured victory in their opening qualifier.
He believes Ghana must match their opponents’ determination while maintaining discipline throughout the game.
Speaking to Graphic Sports, Damba said the Black Stars could not afford to underestimate The Gambia.
“The Gambians will come well prepared because they know what Ghana is capable of. They will come with the hope of winning, or at least picking a point, so we have to go all out and fight for the victory,” he said.
The former Ghana international goalkeeper also warned that The Gambia could adopt a cautious approach, knowing Ghana’s history and pedigree in African football.
Ghana will be without several key players, including Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew, but Damba believes their absence should create an opportunity for the younger players in Carlos Queiroz’s squad.
Rather than dwelling on the unavailable players, he urged those coming into the team to seize their opportunity and prove their worth.
“We don’t need to cry over spilled milk. We have good replacements, and this is an opportunity for them to be counted. They need to show up,” Damba said.
Despite the challenges facing the Black Stars, Damba remains confident that Ghana have enough quality to claim all three points.
“It is going to be a tall order, but we have the potential to beat The Gambia. They cannot fail Ghanaians,” he added.
However, Damba stressed the importance of tactical discipline, warning the Black Stars against becoming overly adventurous in their pursuit of victory.
He said the players must follow Queiroz’s instructions and remain focused, as any lapse in concentration could expose Ghana to unnecessary danger.
The Black Stars will kick off against The Gambia at 16:00 GMT as they seek their first points of the qualifying campaign.
Ghana are also hoping to secure a return to the AFCON after missing the 2025 tournament in Morocco, ending their run of more than two decades of consecutive appearances at the continental showpiece.
Source: Ghana Soccer Net
