The draw for the 2008 African Cup of Nations would come off on Friday in the Ghanaian capital, Accra. And probably millions would be tuning into the ceremony to find out who their team will play.
As the countdown draws closer, one of the tournament’s favourites, Ghana, host of the CAN would remain in the spotlight as the Black Stars go in search of a fifth triumph, on home soil.
The confidence level of the people remains high though they are also aware of the strengths of opposing teams like Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Morocco and Guinea.
Despite the challenges posed by such teams, Ghana Football Association President, Kwesi Nyantakyi says, Ghana would be ready for any team it is paired with in the group stages.
“I know that once you go into a competition and all the teams are coming and you definitely play a final match, it means you should be ready to meet any team. I believe that we have to psyche ourselves up to meet any team at all in this competition,“ Kwesi Nyantakyi said to the FA’s website, ghanafa.org in an interview.
With such positive conviction, Kwesi Nyantakyi adds that Ghana would be able to realize its dreams of success at the Nations Cup with a well followed preparation programme by the team.
“Our chances are bright but it will remain a wishful thinking on paper if concrete plans are not put in place to actualize it and that is why we have a lot of matches lined in the build up to the Cup of Nations and I believe that God willing we should be able to realize our dreams.”
The draw ceremony has been fixed for the plush Accra International Conference Centre in the capital between the hours of 15:00 and 17:00 GMT.
The sixteen qualified teams for the competition are Ghana (hosts), Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria, Mali, Guinea, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, Zambia, South Africa, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Benin and Angola.
Before the draw, the 16 teams taking part in the finals will be seeded in four pots of four teams each.
The seedings are expected to be finalized today after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) organising committee of the Africa Cup of Nations meets.