Ghana received massive support from the home crowd as the Black Stars showed their resolve in the quarter-final match against Nigeria. Now, only Cameroon stands in the way of the galvanised Ghana team seeking to secure a place in the finals.
Despite Otto Pfister’s tough comments about ‘paralysing’ Ghana in today’s first semi-final game of the African Cup of Nations, no-one really knows what is going on in the mind of his opposite, Claude Le Roy. But one thing is certain, a win for Ghana.
Le Roy has maintained a calm approach just as his team has as Ghana aim to tame Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.
“We have to be there on Sunday in the Final. There is no way we can be anywhere else,” Ghana’s coach said.
Le Roy, who led Cameroon to their 1988 Nations Cup title says despite missing captain John Mensah, he remains confident in the rest of the squad to secure a final berth though he expects a difficult opposition.
“They are a well-balanced side and have scored a lot of goals, but we have to find a way to win.”
However, the home crowd could play a key role in Thursday’s semi-final clash with Cameroon, Stephen Appiah says.
“The support handed the team during the game against Nigeria when they were a man down was fantastic and it contributed to pushing them on to win the game.
“On Thursday against Cameroon, we are asking for the same support and even more. The players are ready to die for the nation. And they would go out for victory.
“Fans need to come out and support them. Let’s make this happen,” the substantive captain said while signing autographs for a large gathering,” Ghana’s regular captain, Stephen Appiah, who has remained with the team despite injury ruling him out of competition says.
In the other semi-final, title holders and five-times champions Egypt play Ivory Coast at the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi (2030 GMT) for a repeat of the final the Pharaohs won on penalties two years ago in Cairo.
Didier Drogba's Ivorians have shown they are strong enough to lift the trophy after scoring 13 goals and conceding only one in their first four matches.
Ivory Coast coach Gerard Gili welcomes back centre back Kolo Toure, who has recovered from a groin injury.