Will it be Ghana or Cote d’Ivoire?
By DAVID KWALIMWA In Malabo, Equatorial GuineaGhana and Cote d’Iviore will both be seeking to end the heartbreak that their fans have endured in recent years when this year’s editions of the Africa Cup of Nations concludes on Sunday at the Estadio de Bata.
The Black Stars be seeking to add to their four continental crowns while the Elephants are eyeing a second African title.
Ghana coach Avram Grant played down his past dismal record in Cup finals ahead of the ultimate showdown, in which his charges will be keen to avoid a third loss in the final in the last decade.
“I have lost a couple of finals in the past including the Uefa Champions League, but this will count for nothing come Sunday,” the former Chelsea coach told journalists at the post match press conference aftre their 3-0 victory over hosts Equatorial Guinea in Thursday’s chaotic semi final match.
PROVEN WINNER
Team captain Asamoah Gyan’s availability for the match remains in doubt through an injury that saw him sit out the semi final match.
The Ivorians will in the meantime start as slight favourites to triumph on Sunday night. Coach Herve Renard is a proven winner having already won the title with Zambia in 2012
The Elephants boasts of a star-studded squad led by four-time Africa Player of the Year Yaya Toure.
“We are ready for the game and will handle every moment with the maturity it deserves,” Yaya said.
This befitting finale is what most neutrals wished for at the start of this competition but with opinion divided over who will carry the day, fans should be prepared for a long and drawn out battle.