Sudan striker John Manu has expressed confidence in his team’s preparation ahead of their clash with Ghana, insisting they are not under pressure to secure a positive result.
The Falcons will face the Black Stars in the first leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying doubleheader today at the Accra Sports Stadium, with kickoff set for 16:00 GMT.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, Manu, who plays for Al-Ahli Benghazi, emphasized that his teammates are calm and unfazed by the quality of their opponents.
"Sudan is not new to this level of competition, having won the AFCON once before," Manu said. "We’ve also beaten Ghana before to qualify for AFCON, so there’s no pressure on us. We’re very calm and well-prepared for this match."
He also shared his personal excitement about playing in Ghana, citing Black Stars legend Asamoah Gyan as his favorite player. "I am very happy to be in Ghana. My favorite player is Asamoah Gyan, and it’s an honor to play in front of his family. I am proud to play like him."
When asked about the impact of Sudan's head coach, Kwesi Appiah, Manu praised Appiah's influence, crediting the coach’s experience with enhancing the team’s performance.
Sudan, currently second in Group F with three points, will look to extend their lead over Ghana, who sit in third with just one point. The return leg is scheduled for Monday, October 14, at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Libya.
