Afcon 2013: Ghana coach relishes DR Congo challenge

Ghana Coach, Kwesi Appiah is relishing the opportunity of playing the Democratic Republic of Congo when the African Cup of Nations begins in South Africa next year.

Ghana will open her campaign against DR Congo in Port Elizabeth in South Africa on January 20,  after both were house in Group B alongside Mali and Niger and the soft-spoken Coach told GNA Sports ‘that game will be very beautiful to watch.’

Appiah believes one factor that could make the opener special is the presence of Congolese  Coach Claude Le Roy who previously guided the Black Stars to a third place finish when Ghana hosted the 2008 African Cup of Nations.

‘Le Roy has a fair knowledge about the Black Stars especially because he coached the team. But the current crop of players is not the same as those he handled. Only a few of those are in the current team.

‘The squad is changed a bit with an addition of both new and young players with the style of play a lot different from when he used to be the manager. It is a complete different team but knowing who he is, I can expect a very stiff challenge.’

The Black Stars would attempt to deliver to the nation a fifth continental glory with group fixtures against Mali and Niger and Appiah reckons it will be suicidal to underestimate the two other members.

‘Mali is a very strong and discipline team. The same can be said of Niger and there will be no time to underrate them because we do not want negative surprises. We have the quality to get out of the group and that is our focus.’

Ghana last defeated Mali 2-0 in a Group D meeting at the 2012 event co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea before succumbing to the Eagles in the third and fourth place meeting later in the tourney which Mali emerged victors.

Source: GNA