Ghana will kick off the 26th edition of the African Cup of Nations against Guinea on Sunday at the remodeled, Ohene Djan Stadium and there would be high expectations coming from an expectant home crowd.
However, one man who in entrusted with the job of plotting a good start to the competition by the Black Stars is team coach, Claude Le Roy.
Le Roy, is already a CAN record breaker. He holds the record for coaching at the most tournaments after his presence at the last edition of the competition in 2006 made it his fifth. Ghana 2008 will be the sixth time he would be in charge of a team at the competition.
Now, the French coach who turns 60 next month and who has already tasted success at the African Nations Cup finals, winning it with Cameroon in 1988 has to plan Ghana’s success too.
But, he remains aware of the pressure that comes with the job as he counts down to the opening game as he shares his thoughts with FIFA.com in an interview.
“It's tremendous pressure. I have been trying to keep my players calm and with only a few days to go we face unbelievable expectations.
“Ghana has not been crowned African champions since 1982 and we know we are in a very difficult group, but the atmosphere is fantastic and we have been working step-by-step to find a solution to playing without Stephen Appiah,” Ghana’s coach said in the interview.
Le Roy says Stephen Appiah has been missed though but believes the players who would line up for Ghana would carry the responsibility.
“At the beginning it was very difficult, we felt the loss on the pitch because he (Appiah) is our tactical backbone. We miss him a lot but he will join us before the opening match to lend whatever support he can. There is now a larger burden of responsibility on the remaining, fit players and they are finding their feet.”
A win for Ghana in the first Group A game against Guinea wouldn’t completely lift the pressure of his players, Le Roy says.
”It's normal pressure. I have been to six Nations Cup finals now and that's how it is. But it is also a huge pleasure.
“I've told my players that millions dream to compete in a major championship like this but few get the chance. They must go out and enjoy and live the experience. They are privileged to have the opportunity.”
And Claude Le Roy, like always refuses to downplay the strength of his opponents as he approaches the game with much caution.
“They have the potential to be African champions. They have an excellent squad with a lot of offensive players who are very skilful, like (Pascal) Feindouno, Fode Mansare, Ibrahima Bangoura. They are very, very talented.
“We are aware that it will be very difficult task against them.
That's why I think if we have three points at the end of the first day, we will be ready for the games that follow. We really need to achieve something in the opening game.”