[ 2012-02-04 ]

Preview: Ghana vs Tunisia
Ghana are gearing up for the biggest match so far
at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with the
quarter-final clash against Tunisia on Sunday.

With two unsuccessful final attempts since winning
the title in 1982 when Ghana last won the title,
the push for a second successive final appearance
on February 12 is two games away.

The West Africans must defeat the Carthage Eagles
to be able to reach the last four and keep their
hopes of reaching the final alive.

The game has dominated the thoughts of the Ghana
team despite the mourning of Madam Sophia Sampson,
mother of midfielder Anthony Annan, who passed
away on Thursday back home after being taken ill.

Both sides came into the competition with great
expectation having impressed so far in the
tournament.

Ghana finished top of Group D having won their
matches against Botswana and Mali before drawing
with a stubborn Guinea side.

Tunisia on the other hand took second position in
Group C where they started by losing the 1-0 to
co-hosts Gabon before defeating Niger and
Morocco.

The north Africans will face their test in the
competition so far when they take on the Black
Stars at the Stade de Franceville on Sunday at
8:00pm local time (19:00 GMT).

Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic has always sounded
hopeful of ending the long title drought as he
continues to talk up the Black Stars quality to
cast out memories of past failures.

The Black Stars, with every player available, have
proven their quality after finishing top from a
tough group but they see the Tunisian threat as
the biggest as they seek to raise their game.

“After the World Cup, Ghana's name rose high and
we are forgetting that any team coming to play
Ghana thinks they are coming up against the best
team in Africa and for that matter the preparation
and determination is always very high,” Kwesi
Appiah, assistant Ghana coach said.

“There is some sort of a little pressure on the
players as well. Everyone is expecting so much
from them but I believe we would overcome it and
put up a very good performance against Tunisia.”

Quality might define the outcome of this crucial
meeting with Tunisia coach, Sami Trabelsi also
speaking about their class and determination to go
past Ghana even though he will be missing veteran
midfielder Adel Chedli, who left the tournament
over lack of playing time.

“I think Tunisia has the quality to beat any
opponent. We don't think about the name of the
teams,” Trabelsi said.

The winner advances to the semi-final to meet
either Zambia or Sudan on Wednesday.

Source - Ghana FA

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