Port Said ? GHANA coach Ratomir Dujkovic is under pressure ahead of a key African Nations Cup clash with Senegal here tomorrow.
The winners will probably accompany Group D favourites Nigeria into the quarter-finals while the losers can contact the travel agents and arrange a flight home early next week. Serb Dujkovic, the first coach to steer Ghana to the World Cup finals, was confident of winning the Nations Cup a record fifth time until an injury crisis rocked the ?Black Stars? this month.
Star Michael Essien, fellow midfielder Sulley Muntari and striker Asamoah Gyan were ruled out and their absence was felt as Ghana lost 1-0 to Nigeria in the opening series of pool matches last Monday.
?We are in a tough group and it is going to be difficult to win the Nations Cup because of the injuries. I am under a lot of pressure to bring the trophy back to Accra and I consider it unfair,? confessed Dujkovic.
?To me the World Cup in Germany this June is more important. I planned to experiment at the Nations Cup and give fringe players a chance to show their capabilities.
?I had to call up the best players because of public pressure, but these injuries have left me in trouble and I cannot promise anything to Ghanaians,? the fan of Cuban leader Fidel Castro said in this north-east coastal city.
?I do not enjoy working this way. We will try our best to win the Nations Cup with the group we have,? added the coach credited with transforming Ghana from a team of talented individuals into a formidable unit.
Turkey-based captain and midfield conductor Stephen Appiah led the chorus of approval for Dujkovic: ?He respects us and is a confident man. We enjoy his training methods and sense of humour.?
Midfielder Laryea Kingston chipped in: ?The coach relates to us like a father. He is a good man. Even if you do something bad he knows how to approach you.?
While Ghana seek a fifth title, Senegal are chasing a first success in the biennial showcase that determines the best national team on the continent and was won by hosts Tunisia two years ago.
The Teranga Lions came closest four years ago, holding Cameroon goalless in the final in Mali only to lose a penalty shootout, and among those who failed to convert his kick was star striker El Hadji Diouf.
Diouf said he was not concerned about some woeful finishing when Senegal struggled to beat group outsiders Zimbabwe 2-0 in the second half of the opening-round double-header.
?We can miss 100 chances as long as we score once, win the match, and give thanks to God. It is vital that we beat Ghana so that some players can be rested for the final pool fixture ahead of the knockout phase.?
While Ghanaian hopes hinge largely on teamwork, Senegal will bank on in-form striker Henri Camara from English Premiership club Wigan carrying on where he left off against Zimbabwe.
He broke the deadlock in the second half after Diouf and Rahmane Barry had fluffed simple chances and set up the second goal for late substitute Issa Ba, who scored with only his second touch of the ball.
Camara struck a similar forgiving tone to Diouf despite misses that would have embarrassed a blindfolded amateur defender: ?We lacked confidence after failing to qualify for the World Cup.?
?We won and are one step nearer to our goal of bring the cup to Senegal for the first time. I expect Ghana to provide tougher opposition than Zimbabwe, but we will be going all out for another win,? promised Camara. ?
