in

Ghana get the 26th Africa Cup of Nations under way on Sunday when the hosts face Guinea as they bid to earn a record equalling fifth-title.

Africa Cup of Nations, Group A
Date: Sunday, 20 January
Kick-off: 1700 GMT
Venue: Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra
BBC Coverage: BBC Sport website, live on BBC – via red button – & highlights on BBC3 at 1900 BST

Ghana won two of their titles on home soil, though the Black Stars have not won the tournament for 26 years.

Claude Le Roy’s side are without captain Stephen Appiah due to injury, but their French coach is unconcerned.

Le Roy said: “I’m fortunate, I’ve a lot of players who can bring something to the team. I’ve a lot of possibilities.”

Guinea have got some of the best players in the French league

 

Ghana coach Claude Le Roy

In Appiah’s absence, much will be expected of Michael Essien of Chelsea and Portsmouth’s Sulley Muntari.

“I feel really proud to be wearing my country’s shirt,” said Essien. “The reception when we all arrived at the airport was fantastic.”

Guinea, who topped their qualifying table, were quarter-finalists in the two previous tournaments.

The last time the two teams met was in 2004 when Ghana won with a last-minute goal.

Coached by Frenchman Robert Nouzaret, Guinea have high expectations of St Etienne midfielder Pascal Feindouno, a player that Le Roy has pinpointed as a danger to the hosts.

“Guinea are a skilful football team,” said Le Roy, who guided Cameroon to the title in 1988.

606: DEBATE

“They’ve got some of the best players in the French league. It’s a well balanced side and we know it’ll be very complicated.

“They’ve players who can create problems, like Pascal Feindouno, but it’s important we get a win on the table.”

Report

Written by Israel Saria

For the last 20 years I have been working as a football pundit. This experience has provided me with a very useful insight into football and the opportunity to carry out extensive research into the game including its players, the stadiums, the rules and tactics and I have also been grateful to meet a wide range of people connected to football in the UK, Tanzania, Germany .....

What do you think?

71 Points
Upvote Downvote

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Loading…

0

African Cup of Nations – Ghana expects against Guinea Sun, 20 Jan 10:54:00 2008

Ghana yatolewa jasho na Guinea