Head Coach of the U23 national team, the Black Meteors has expressed confidence in his team's ability to pick an Olympics ticket from the 2019 U23 Cup of Nations in Egypt amid intense "pressure everywhere".
The tournament which kick off tomorrow has Ghana facing fierce competition in a group that has the host Egyp, Mali and Cameroon.
He is leading a tough mission to end Ghana's 16 years absence in Olympics games, begining with Cameroon on Friday.
But the Borussia Dortmund legend believes his team has what it takes to pick a slot for the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games despite pressure.
According to Coach Tanko, Ghana’s sole aim at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament in Egypt, is to pick one of the three slots available to Africa for the summer games and they will not compromise that for anything.
“There is pressure in our everyday activities, the boys are eager to make their names in this tournament and for the coming games and I also want to qualify for the games, so there is pressure everywhere," he said.
“But that notwithstanding, our soul aim of qualifying still remains high and we are going to make sure that Ghana gets one of the available slots.”
Tanko, who made this known in Egypt after the team’s first training session added that he had been so overwhelmed by his side’s enthusiasm to his training sessions and noted that is a good sign going forward.
“The first training session was good and all the players responded very well, though I will get my full compliment of team today.
“I have seen from my team so far, come friday we would get a good game and win the day” he said.
Ghana will start their campaign against Cameroon on Friday November 8, 2019 at 20 hours GMT before playing host nation Egypt and Mali on Monday November 11 and Thursday November 14,2019 respectively.
The tournament kicks off from November 8-22, 2019.
If the Black Meteors qualify for the Olympics, it will mark an end of 16 years wait for an Olympics participation.
The Black Mateors last featured I the Athens 2004 Olympics.
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