At
first glance, Group A of the African Nations Cup appears the easiest of the four sections to predict. Ghana, the
hosts, have won the competition four times. Only Egypt has lifted the
trophy more often. In fact, The Black Stars were awarded the original Abdelaziz Abdallah Salem Trophy after winning their
third title in 1978. Two years prior, Abdellah Antaki’s Morocco
side had won the tournament in Ethiopia.
Both countries will be expecting to advance out of their bracket in the 2008 incarnation of the
Nations Cup. But, as is so often the case in African football, an upset or two would surprise no one. Namibia and Guinea will be crossing their fingers that they can do it. In reality, however, it
will be an uphill battle.
When Ghana
kick-off the schedule on Sunday, 20 January in Accra, Claude Le Roy will be at the helm of the most capable side the west-African
nation has ever produced. For all the talent, however, the 59-year-old may be hard-pressed to coax enough goals from his squad.
Asamoah Gyan will spear-head the attack. The 22-year-old Udinese striker has scored 10-goals
in Serie A over one-and-a-half seasons and has tallied an additional 12 for his country in 23-appearances. At 6-foot-1, his
stature has served him well in Europe. But he will be facing far taller centre-halves in this tournament. Matthew
Amoah, who plays his football for NAC Breda in Holland, will see action as well. He has adapted well to Dutch football after a difficult
spell at Borussia Dortmund – scoring in half his league matches so far this term.
Michael Essien is obviously the most high-profile figure associated with the squad. The Chelsea midfielder will be the glue that holds Ghana together over the
three weeks. Lofty expectations, sure. But, then again, Essien has spent his entire career exceeding them. Portmouth’s
Sulley Muntari will make an exceptional partner in the centre of the park. The 23-year-old has been sensational at Fratton
Park since a summer move from Udinese. If Gyan and Amoah cannot provide the goals, Muntari, Essien,
and Fenerbahce’s Steven Appiah will be counted upon to contribute offensively.
At the back, Le Roy has a trio of accomplished professionals. West Ham supporters will be familiar
with John Paintsil. The 26-year-old defender has made 29-appearances for his country. PSV Eindhoven’s Eric Addo has
made 17. And John Mensah, Stade Rennais’ well-traveled 25-year-old, is a veteran of 42-caps.
To say that Ghana enter the African
Nations Cup as prohibitive favorites would not be an exaggeration. However, they must play to their strengths. This is a side
which earned some success at the 2006 World Cup by playing tight, responsible football.
Key players: Michael Essien (MF, Chelsea); Sulley Muntari (MF, Portsmouth); Matthew Amoah (FW, NAC Breda)
Henri Michel brought Cote d’Ivoire to
the last World Cup. He took Tunisia to Korea/Japan in 2002 and has also been at the helm of Cameroon, Paris Saint-Germain, and France. In other words,
he brings pedigree. The 60-year-old is currently in his second stint in charge of Morocco.
Michel will be counting on Marouane Chamakh’s goals to fire Lions de l’atlas into
the knock-out stages. The 24-year-old has a stunning goal-scoring record in international football – having knocked-in
30-goals in 39-appearances. He currently plies his trade with Bordeaux in Ligue 1.
