Ghana will be first to qualify and win the CAN - Milovan predicts

Cabinda (Angola) -- The coach of the Black Stars of Ghana, Milovan Rajevac, said Thursday during the traditional press conference before the match that Ghana will be the first team to qualify for the second round and will win the 27th CAN.

"It’s a great opportunity for us to participate in this competition. I am confident that Ghana will be the first team to secure a qualification for the second round and win the CAN," he told reporters.

This confidence, Ghana’s Serbian coach said, is “based on the determination and the shape of the players.’’

"My players are motivated to meet the Elephants. It is certainly a young team, but we want to beat the Ivorians and continue the competition," he added.

In addition, Milovan believes that the youth of his selection is not a handicap as he also counts on the experiences of Michael Essien.

"We have a young team who will play the experienced Elephants, but we are not scared by the youth of our group. We have an opportunity to display our shape," he said.

He said he was also saddened by the rebel attack on the Togolese bus in Cabinda which has caused the team’s withdrawal from the competition.

After the withdrawal of Togo, Group B now has only three teams, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Ghana.

The Ivorians drew (0 - 0) with Burkina Faso in the first group match.

On Friday, the Elephants will lock horns with the Black Stars in the second day of the group.