Tahini tips Ivory Coast for Cup glory

Sierra Leone striker Ibrahim Tahini has tipped the Ivory Coast to win their second continental trophy at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking to Goal.com from his base in Sweden, the 24-year-old said the Ivorian squad have proven they mean business and will defeat co-hosts Equatorial Guinea in their quarter-final on Saturday.

“I think Ivory Coast have enough strength to win this tournament,” Tahini said. “They have maintained a clean sheet and I have no doubt this is their tournament.”

“They are aggressive and seem united as a unit to win. I will go for them judging from their performance.”

The Oddevold marksman and last season’s top goal scorer in Sweden’s second-tier, said the absence of giants such as Egypt, Nigeria and Cameroon is unfortunate, but serves as a lesson that African football has come of age.

“It’s a pity that those countries didn’t qualify for the tournament because everybody expected them to qualify,” he said.

“They are great football nations when you come to African football history. But the rain doesn’t fall in just one man’s house. Now it’s their time to be left out and let the other nations shine.”

“It’s kind of showing how football has developed in many African countries which is good for us Africa.”