Appiah honoured and offers to give his best

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah wants to improve the Black Stars as he plays down talk of pressure associated with the job.

Appiah is keen for a successful spell in charge of the Black Stars after formalizing a deal with the Ghana Football Association on Tuesday. He has been given a contract until the end of the 2014 World Cup.

“It is always an honour to be called upon to serve your nation and as you know I have been assistant for some time now and was always looking forward to the day I will get to this position,” the new Black Stars coach said.

“Personally, I don't believe in pressure. What I believe is going out there and doing the best that you can and come out with success."

After succeeding Goran Stevanovic as head coach, the ex-Ghana international full-back's first task will be to prepare the team for a World Cup 2014 qualifying match at home to Lesotho in June.

And that will be followed by a match against Africa Cup of Nations winners Zambia. Sudan are the other team in Group D, which is the second of three rounds of qualifying for the tournament in Brazil.

He believes a unified front is what will move the Black Stars forward as he assumes the reigns of the team.

“The most important thing now is to forge a solid team in going forward and therefore I would ask for the support of each and every individual to ensure we succeed.” he said.

Appiah has also had kind words for his employers, the Ghana Football Association and the thrust reposed him.

“I would also want to appreciate the fact that the FA and the Executive Committee for giving me this position.”

Appiah who led Ghana's U-23 team to an historic gold medal at the 2011 All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique will be unveiled at press conference on April 17 at the GFA headquarters in Accra.