Former Ghana Coach CK Akonnor Backs Under Pressure Chris Hughton, Pleads With Fans to be Calm

• Ex-Ghana captain C.K, Akonnor is backing Chris Hughton to succeed
• The Black Stars coach has been under pressure following a poor run
• Ghana will aim to end their AFCON drought in Ivory Coast next year

Former Ghana coach, Charles Kwabla Akonnor is pleading with his countrymen to support Chris Hughton ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

The ex-Brighton and Hove Albion manager has come under intense pressure following a series of unconvincing performances by the Black Stars.

Ghana have lost three of their last four games and will head into the Africa Cup of Nations looking somewhat unprepared for the tournament.

However, Akonnor, who guided the team to AFCON 2021 qualification before losing his position to Milovan Rajevac, believes fans of the Black Stars need to remain calm.

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"I know what he is going through. It's a difficult time. Sometimes, you can get confused especially when the whole nation comes at you," Akonnor told Joy Sports.

He believes there is a need for calmness in order for the national team to prepare well, become focused, and define a strategy for the tournament.

"It's a big deal for us as a football nation but we need to calm down and allow him to prepare the team adequately so we can go to this tournament and do well."

The four-time African champions have been drawn in Group B at AFCON 2023. The team will face seven-time champions Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.

Ghana last won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1982 and have since reached the final three times, losing twice to Ivory Coast at the last stage.

Akonnor allows son to decide international future

Sports Brief also previously reported that the former coach of the Black Stars, Akonnor said he would allow his son, Charles Herrmann to decide which international team he wants to represent.

Charles played a pivotal role as Germany's Under-17 team won the FIFA World Cup in Indonesia last month. However, the Borussia Dortmund starlet has the option of playing in Europe or for Ghana.