Africa Cup of Nations 2012: Coaches differ on predictions
Afcon 2012: Coaches differ on predictions
Posted: 2012-01-22 13:40
Some local coaches predict that Ghana and Ivory Coast will reach the final of the 2012 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, others are tipping Senegal.
The Lions of Teranga came within a penalty kick of winning the title 10 years ago, and Jomo Sono and Trott Moloto expect them to go all the way this time around.
In seperate interviews with KickOff.com, the coaches all predicted that the tournament – which is being co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon – would be very competitive, because of the abscence of some of the traditional giants in African football such as Nigeria, Cemeroon and Egypt.
Free State Stars coach Steve Komphela and Platinum Stars mentor Owen da Gama say the star players in the Ghana and Ivory Coast national teams will give the two sides an edge during the tournament.
There is massive pressure on the Elephants of Ivory Coast and the Black Stars of Ghana – who are ranked first and second respectively in Africa – from their fans back home, who expect nothing less than seeing their stars lifting the coveted continental trophy.
"This is a tournament where big names will be crucial in ensuring victory," Komphela says.
"In my view, Ivory Coast will go all the way to the final because they have the experience to last the disatnce. Their players know that for some of them, this is the last time that they can win the competition so this will motivate them to do well," he adds.
Da Gama – who had the opportunity of watching Ghana during their recent practice match against Platinum Stars – says Asamoah Gyan will be an influential force.
"Gyan showed his flashes of brilliance and his goal in their 2-0 victory over us was amazing. He is not fully fit so he only played the first half of the match. But he is still dangerous and I predict that he will have a good tournament.
"Ghana and Ivory Coast will reach the final, but from there, it will be the side that is hungry for victory the most that will ultimately win," adds Da Gama.
Jomo Sono, meanwhile, tips Senegal to shine.
"They [Senegal] have lethal strikers that are doing well in Europe and the fact that they have never won this tournament in their history makes them dangerous," Sono says.
"There are no big teams any more in African football because the smaller nations are catching up. In past tournaments, Ivory Coast have always been among the favourites and have gone on to disappoint. I do not see this changing," he adds.
Trott Moloto also tips Senegal, but is quick to point out that the absence of the so called "big guns" in African football will make a number of teams feel that they are able to compete on an equal footing.
"It will be an interesting tournament because more teams will feel that they can win," he says.
: 2012-01-22 14:34
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