Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic reckons Zambia will be tough
Stevanovic expects tough Zambia test
Posted: 2012-02-08 07:00
Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic reckons the semi-final meeting against Zambia will test the mental strength of his side more than any so far in the competition.
Ghana are hoping to reach their second straight Africa Cup of Nations final in their third successive semi-final appearance at the competition and Stevanovic believes the attitude of his players will be a key factor in deciding the outcome of the game.
Sulley Muntari claims the players will have no excuse to fail while Dede Ayew says the players can sense the opportunity to make history.
While the players have talked tough, Stevanovic has had to prepare his players for the game with the inconvenience of travelling from Franceville in Gabon to Bata in Equatorial Guinea but says it will count for nothing.
"We accept that we have limited time to prepare for the game," Stevanovic said.
"Our opponents have had one more day to rest and we played 120 minutes in a very tough game against Tunisia and all this is part of the game."
Zambia coach Herve Renard will have a good idea of the Ghana team having worked with the Black Stars in 2008 as the physical trainer of the side under Claude Le Roy.
That team included players like John Mensah, John Paintsil, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah, Dede Ayew and Asamoah Gyan who are all in the present Ghana side.
Stevanovic does not think it will give the Frenchman any advantages even though he is full of praise for the quality of his Zambia side.
"Sometimes, it’s not so good when you know the quality of Andre Ayew, [Asamoah]Gyan and Sulley[Muntari] before the game," he said.
"You can be afraid even before. I respect the coach, I respect the team. Our opponent is very strong, very disciplined and for us, it is a very tough game."
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