The legendary Tony Yeboah of the Black Stars of Ghana has said the days of Super Eagles of Nigeria and Black Stars of Ghana's invincibility are over as the other African countries hitherto considered to be minnows in football have developed their game and are ready to give the two countries a run for their money.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja where he came to play in the international golf match between the IBB Golf Club and the Achimota Golf Club of Ghana, the former Black Stars striker said in the days past, it was very easy for the Black Stars and the Super Eagles to qualify for major tournaments but the trend has changed.
He said at the moment, other African countries are doing very well and have completely demystified the two nations which in the past dominated the continent.
According to him, Black Stars and the Super Eagles are no longer as dreaded as before so any attempt for them to undermine the chances of other countries would always back-fire.
The former Eintracht Frankfurt, Leeds United and Hamburger SV forward said the two nations are blessed with abundant talents but if they are to have the upper hand against the other countries, they must be ready to carry out adequate preparations.
Yeaboah said in his days, there used to be serious preparations before every qualifiers and that was why it was possible for the Black Stars to achieve good results.
He said even now, if the Black Stars and the Super Eagles are given the necessary preparations, they would return to winning ways. "Years ago when you talk about qualification you can't count Nigeria and Ghana out but at the moment football has totally changed. The other countries are also doing very well. We have to do our preparations. If the two countries can organize themselves very well, Ghana and Nigeria will not have any problem at all.
"At the moment, it is a little bit down. When you compare years ago, it was totally different. It is on the decline. That's what I am saying. It is very difficult to say but as I am saying some of the Africa countries are also doing very well. So now you can not underestimate any country".
"Years ago, Nigeria and Ghana were doing very very well, Good preparations for national teams but this time, they are not doing as we were doing".
He said other African countries have realized that football is a money spinner and have invested heavily in it.".
Raymond Yeboah-Sportsinghana.com
Yeboah noted that despite the decline, if the two countries can put their acts together, they would qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
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