Kick-off: 7pm
Ivory Coast face what is likely to be their sternest test of the 2015
Africa Cup of Nations when they tackle Ghana today in what many pundits
deem the dream final.
With Africa’s highest ranked team Algeria falling by the wayside
(losing to both finalists in the process), and defending champions
Nigeria as well as record seven-time winners Egypt both failing to
qualify for the competetion, two of the continent`s most consistent
teams will clash for African football`s biggest prize.
Both African football powerhouses are in dire need of a continental
trophy after long, frustrating waits. Ghana have won the Cup of Nations
four times but their last conquest was 33 years ago, while the Ivorians
only triumph was in 1992 and, ironically, it was at the expense of
Ghana.
Ivory Coast beat their West African neighbours 11-10 on penalties after 120 minutes of action did not produce any goals in Dakar.
Ivory Coast beat their West African neighbours 11-10 on penalties after 120 minutes of action did not produce any goals in Dakar.
Former Nigeria skipper Sunday Oliseh, who won the Cup of Nations in
1994 and came close to another title in 2000, has tipped Ivory Coast to
win, but also warned Ghana are capable of causing an upset.
"Ivory Coast is clear favourite to win the final," said Oliseh on his
website. "Player for player, Ivory Coast has better individuals than
Ghana and they are playing better as a team now, especially when not in
possession.
"Ghana are quite impressive and, with (Christian) Atsu and the Ayew
brothers (Andre and Jordan), are becoming unpredictable and champion
material.
"They go into this final as underdogs but with less pressure, unlike Ivory Coast, due to the fact that not many would have bet on them coming this far when the tournament kicked off."
"They go into this final as underdogs but with less pressure, unlike Ivory Coast, due to the fact that not many would have bet on them coming this far when the tournament kicked off."
The "new generation" Black Stars have flourished under former Chelsea
manager Avram Grant and displayed strong character throughout this
campaign.
"The boys do not give up, they have fought till the end of every
match," remarked skipper Asamoah Gyan, who remains an injury doubt after
sustaining an abdominal injury in the quarter-final against Guinea.
Ivory Coast, on the other hand, have been tactically shrewd and well
organised when they do not have the ball. They have been able to combine
talented stars like Yaya Toure and Gervinho with hard-working
team-mates.
Gervinho said they are gunning for history against Ghana. "It has been a
long time since we have had a final between Ghana and Ivory Coast and
we want to write our history too. This is our chance and we hope to take
it," the Roma forward told AFP.
Thisdaylive
No comments:
Post a Comment