Ghana coach names cup choices

Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic sees Ivory Coast, Senegal and dark horses Mali as the major threats to winning the Africa Cup of Nations.

In an interview with B92 Television, the Serbian tipped the Elephants and the Teranga Lions to be in the last four of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, adding that one of them will eventually be in the final.

“Defending champions Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon and South Africa won’t be there, meaning that the 16 teams which did reach the finals are very strong,” Stevanovic said.

“In my humble opinion, Ivory Coast and Senegal should reach the last four and one of them will probably play in the final, while Mali are also a team to watch out for.”

“The Malian style of play has the handwriting of their coach, former France midfielder Alain Giresse, so these four teams are the cream of the crop,” he said.

Ghana’s first game at the finals is against newcomers Botswana on January 24, three days after the tournament kicks off.

Ghana then plays Mali four days later and Guinea on February 1 at the same stadium.