Black Stars’ coach, Avram Grant has predicted a difficult match for the team as they come up against host nation Equatorial Guinea on Thursday, February 5, at the Estadio De Malabo, Malabo.
Grant told the media at a post-match press conference that playing against the host nation of a competition has always been difficult because the entire crowd at the stadium will be against his team.
“A lot of factors will work against you when you are playing the host nation. We are aware of the challenges and we will prepare towards that.
“That is why we see every match as a challenge. In our game against Equatorial Guinea we hope to lift up our game again”. Grant stated.
According to the coach, he has had the opportunity to watch his next opponents in their game against Tunisia and believes they are equally a potential threat.
Coach Grant said, they will commence preparations immediately and hope to see improvement in their game against the host nation.
“We keep improving match after match, and that is what we are going to work on in the next few days ahead of the semi-final game.
“I hope to see my team play better than what they did against Guinea, because that has been our hall mark since the competition started.
“We shall approach the game with all the seriousness it deserves because we want to make an impact.” He stated.
Meanwhile,Grant praised his side’s team spirit as the Black Stars thrashed opponents Guniea 3-0 in the quarter finals of the African Nations.
The former Chelsea, West Ham and Portsmouth boss told FIFA.com after Ghana’s victory last Sunday that he feels the best is yet to come from his side.
“We are on the right way to being even better than today,” the Israeli manager said.
“Expectations of this team were not high but that doesn’t matter.
“Guinea are a very strong team technically, with lots of quick players in attack. Just as in every game we tried to stop them from playing their game and play ours.
“Our first goal was very good and the third goal was fantastic from Atsu. I don’t know if he meant it,”
Ghana will now meet surprise package Equatorial Guinea in the semi finals on February 5th, with Ivory Coast or DR Congo being their potential final opponents.
Source: Ghanaian Times
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