Ibrahim Tanko proud to serve despite Black Stars' AFCON qualifying struggles

[caption id="attachment_1330089" align="alignnone" width="861"] Ibrahim Tanko[/caption]Black Stars interim assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko says he is proud to have the opportunity to help Ghana recover from their difficult start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.Ghana endured a disappointing start to their Group C campaign, losing 2-0 to Ivory Coast in Bouake before suffering a shock 4-2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.The two successive defeats led to the departure of head coach Carlos Queiroz, leaving the Black Stars in search of a new technical direction.The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation have since constituted a five-member committee to recommend a substantive head coach for the national team.In the interim, Kim Lars Bjrkegren has been appointed to lead the technical team, with Tanko, Godwin Attram and Fatau Dauda serving as his assistants ahead of Ghana's upcoming doubleheader against Somalia.Tanko, who also serves as head coach of Medeama SC, says he considers his involvement with the national team a privilege, despite the challenges facing the Black Stars."I am proud to be one of those who can help Ghana in this very tough situation," he told Joy Sports."For me, national duty is something special. I have served Ghana in different capacities, and whenever the opportunity comes to contribute, I see it as a privilege."The situation may be challenging, but we must be ready to give our best," he added.Ghana will host Somalia in the first encounter on Thursday, November 12, before the two sides meet again on November 16. Both matches are scheduled to take place in Ghana.The interim technical team is expected to announce its squad this week as preparations intensify for the crucial encounters.The Black Stars currently sit bottom of Group C without a point after their opening two matches and will be under pressure to secure maximum points against Somalia to revive their qualification hopes.The four-time African champions are also eager to return to the continental showpiece after missing the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.