Konadu expects a tough COSAFA Cup quarter-finals

The local Black Stars coach is anticipating a tough encounter in the side's first match at the 2015 edition of the COSAFA Cup tournament against Madagascar

Ghana will begin their campaign at this year’s Council of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) Cup at the Royal Bafonkeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Monday with a match against Madagascar.

Ahead of the match, coach Maxwell Konadu has outlined his team's target as they make their debut in the competition as a guest nation.

"It won’t be easy for us, the southern part of Africa has a unique style of play and they have talents in abundance here", Konadu said at the pre-match press conference.

"I know the match is going to be very interesting but the best side carry the day.

"We have brought young guys who we know have a good future. They are here to have a feel of the competition and to show what they can also do".

Konadu and his 20-man squad trained at the Moses Kotane Local Municipality Mogwase Stadium immediately upon their arrival for the competition on Friday.

Asked why Ghana didn’t present a star-studded side for the championship, he noted that the team presented is equally capable of exhibiting the good football Ghana is known for.

"It may not be our main national team but this team is also very formidable and talented.

"I think Ghana was invited because of the good football we play and we are here to live up to expectations.

"Its our first time here and we think we can also do something in this very important tournament", he concluded.

Madagascar qualified into the quarterfinals of the tournament after securing a 1-1 draw with Swaziland on Friday. The two sides finished level on seven points at the top of the Group B standings, but the islanders advance having scored one more goal than their opponents in the competition.