Time Warner owned-news company CNN Sports Illustrated says it’s about time Ghana won the 2012 African Cup of Nations trophy.
In a soccer predictions note for 2012, the CNN Sports Illustrated’s Ben Lyttleton writes December 29, 2011 that “Ghana will get what it deserves — at last… It’s about time it won a trophy, and January’s African Nations Cup could be the one.”
According to the writer, graduates from the squad that won the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup after beating Brazil – Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese) and Andre Ayew (Marseille) are now key players for their clubs. And even without AC Milan’s in-form midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, who retired from international soccer last month (and Emmanuel Frimpong, unavailable due to eligibility problems), Ghana should still have enough to get past group opponents Botswana, Mali and Guinea.
Lyttleton admits that Ghana’s biggest challenge could come from Morocco, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire who are parading some of the finest players on the continent.
The tournament, which starts in January through to February 12, 2012 has been described as an open one because of the absence of some of the regular participants like Nigeria, Cameroon and defending champions Egypt.
This scenario has left many not looking much further beyond Ivory Coast and Ghana for the winner, says the Confederation of African Football (CAF) December 29, 2011.
Ghana last won the African Cup in 1982. The country was semi-finalist at the 2008 edition and losing finalist in 2010.
By Ekow Quandzie
Do not count Ivory Coast in. Too much strife and division within ethnic and political lines…the Ivorian Team is full of guys who are more interested in coupe decale than play with their hearts for their country. This is one thing that the Ivorian Team lacks: pride! They have no pride and are not humble…don’t consider Ivory Coast among the favorites..they are not! I am an Ivorian and don’t believe that this team will win it unless they add some new faces who are eager to represent the Ivorian Flag.
I believe Ghana can win this tournament but Ivorian team is still a threat to them. Im a Ghanaian and this is our time.