Ex-Ghana international, Ibrahim Sunday believes the West African nation is not a favorite to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations title.
The four time African champions will head to the coveted tournament where they are paired in group C alongside North African giants, Morocco, Gabon and debutants, Comoros for the competition starting on Sunday, January 9 in Cameroon.
According to the 1971 African Footballer of The Year, the qualified countries have prepared mentally, physically and psychologically and if Ghana are not in that shape and state, then the 40-year trophy jinx cannot be broken.
“Every country qualified for the tournament [AFCON] and the dream of every country is to win the trophy.
“The trophy will be won by only one country.
“It’s true Ghana has not won the trophy for 40 years but maybe this time, it could be ours.
“If you look at the teams that are going for the tournament, if we shall be truthful, the Black Stars are not favourites to win the cup.
“But favourites are not guaranteed to win tournaments.
“A well prepared side, psychologically, mentally, physically and and everything normally have the chance to win the trophy.
“Has Ghana prepared the players in that manner?
“Although the Black Stars are not favourites but if they work hard with good training, they can win the tournament.” Ibrahim Sunday told Edubiaseman FM.
The Black Stars’ preparation for the AFCON was given a jolt when they suffered a 3-0 loss to defending champions, Algeria in a pre-AFCON friendly at the Education City Stadium in Doha, Qatar.
Adam Ounas, Jonathan Mensah’s own goal and Islam Slimani’s easy tap in, were enough to give the Desert Foxes an edge over Milovan Rajevac’s side on Wednesday.
The Black Stars will open their tournament campaign against Morocco on Monday, January 10 at 4:00pm Ghana time.
Ghana last won the AFCON title in 1982 and the closest they have come to the trophy was in 2010 and 2015 when they lost 1-0 to Egypt and 9-8 on penalty shootouts to western neighbors, Ivory Coast in the finals respectively.
