Ex-coach of the Black Stars Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie says he will be stunned if the Black Stars are unable to progress to the knockout stage of the ongoing AFCON tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

The Black Stars must respond to their 2-1 defeat to Senegal in their opening game in order to keep their hopes of reaching the next stage of the competition alive.

Coach Avram Grant and his team have a tough game against group leaders Algeria on Friday.

 But coach Afranie says Ghana can beat Algeria and insists he will be surprised if the team is not able to make the quarter-finals

“Algeria is not extraordinary, they are a good side and we should respect them but Ghana can if they are serious and committed upset them,” he told Joy Sports in an exclusive interview

“I will be surprised  if we are not able to make it to the next stage because these boys are tried and tested, some have been to the AFCON twice so they are well exposed so i believe if they put things right and change their attitude we can make it.”

Coach Afranie however, wants the players to know they are in a premium competition hence must live up to the billing.

“This competition is not for babies, they need to have mental toughness and be committed to the course, they should have that.

“They should change that perception of Ghanaians that they don’t want to work for Ghana, they know what it’s at stake because if they win they have made history and I believe they can.”