Mubarak Wakaso at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday

By Ameenu Shardow

Midfielder Mubarak Wakaso insists the Ghana team is not losing sleep over their next opponent, Mali.

The Black Stars face the Eagles in their second Group B clash at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday.

Ghana needs to win to revive their title ambitions in South Africa following a disappointing 2-2 draw in the opening group game against DR Congo.

Wakaso who has evolved to be a key player of the side will be coming up against world class midfielders such as Seydou Keita and Momo Sissoko.

But the Espanyol player is adamant focus is first and foremost on the Black Stars and not their opponents.

“For me the most important thing to do on the pitch is to do the job that my coach has given me to help the team win,” he said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“I don’t think about their side, although we are playing against them.

“They also have to think about us, we don’t have to think about them.

“You mention  Keita (Seydou), I have played with him in Spain. He is a normal player for me even though he is good.

“What we need to do is to concentrate on our own even but we still need to think about them but we have to concentrate on us first.”

A win will certainly see Ghana overtake the Malians who are currently top Group B.

A defeat however will spell doom for the Black Stars who are one of the favourites to win the competition in South Africa.