Black Stars head coach, Milovan Rajevac, is energised by the level of enthusiasm displayed by the group of local players who are rounding up a special training camp at Takoradi for the first-ever Africa Nations Championship which kicks off this weekend in Cote d’Ivoire.
Exuding confidence after a work-out at the Sekondi Gyandu Park last Wednesday, Milo expressed his optimism about the chances of the Stars in this African soccer fiesta which also has the likes of hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia, Libya and Congo DR among others participating.
As he observed players like Charles Taylor, Jordan Opoku, Harrison Afful, Samuel Inkoom and Stephen Manu exhibit sheer brilliance at training, Milo was more than confident that his outfit would be the team to beat in the competition.
Since they began training at the Gyandu Park this week, the locals have won the heart of soccer fans at the harbour city, thrilling the huge crowds which have turn out at their work-out and as they inspired hope with their performance in two friendly games they played at the venue.
They beat Sekondi Eleven Wise and Metro Stars 1-0, 1-0 respectively in their two friendly outings.
Coach Milo said his men were battle ready to take Africa by storm and with the great team spirit and high moral which he had witnessed so farthey must be on the threshold of making history in the Championship.
“My confidence has been boosted by the level of discipline of the players at training session, the respect for the camping rules and regulations and the determination they have shown so far”, he added.
“I am so far encouraged by the absence of acrimony, rivalry, laziness among these 23 players and I will not be surprised if some of them find their way in the main Black Stars team for the World Cup qualifiers”, he said.
Ghana will be battling from Group B together with Libya, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zimbabwe and Milo was quick to describe encounters with Libya and Democratic Republic of Congo as very tricky.
Still concerned about the loss to Libya in Tripoli late last year in a World Cup qualifying game, Milo said he draws his strength from the Stars impressive showing in the qualifiers which saw the team eliminate Nigeria but was quick to assure that this accomplishment was not going to be a source of complacency for the team.
“We will maintain our focus and respect our opponents even though it is clear that some of them are not very endowed with talents and also do not have the pedigree,” he stated.
“At the moment, I’m not in the position to promise anything, all we need is the prayer and support of all Ghanaians for the task ahead”, Coach Milo stressed.
The players currently in camp are Philemon MacCarthy, Ernest Sowah, Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, Rahim Ayew, Ofosu Appiah, Iddrisu Yahaya, Osei Bonsu Michael, Isaac Owusu, Daniel Yeboah, Jordan Opoku, Mohammed Habib, Harrison Afful, Captain Edmund Owusu Ansah, Francis Mantey, Sam Ayew Yeboah, Charles Asampong Taylor, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Francis Coffie, Ebo Andoh, Yaw Antwi, Stephen Manu and Kwadwo Poku.
No comments:
Post a Comment