Ghana coach hoping to make impact in SA

Ghana's under-23 coach Suleiman Mahomed wants his team to make a big impact at the second Sasol eight nations tournament, which gets underway on Wednesday at venues around Gauteng.

Mahomed wants the Black Satellites to get past the group stage games which includes clashes against Lesotho, Ivory Coast and the young Pharoahs of Egypt.

"We did not do very well at the Toulon tournament in France so we're aiming to make a big impact at this tournament," Mahomed said. "The boys know each other better now and know what is expected of them so we're aiming to make it to the semis.

Ghana kick off the tournament on Wednesday against Lesotho at the Eldorado Park Stadium and Mahomed, who's been an assitant coach for eight years with the under-23 team, is not underestimating their Southern African opponent.

"I have seen Ivory Coast, China and Cameroon play so not all the teams are strangers to us," he said. However, it does not matter who we play against because most Arican teams can play good football and if you underestimate a team because they are not known, then you can fail."

Mahomed brought 18 players with him and is expecting another player to join the camp tomorrow. The Real Sportif coach drilled his players at the University of Johannesburg athletics stadium for two hours before heading back to their hotel in Milpark.

"Each and every one of these boys are good players, I cannot single out anyone that we solely depend on," Mahomed said. "We are ready physically and today (Tuesday) we will work on set-pieces for our first clash. We are looking forward to it," he said.

The kick off is scheduled for 13h00. Cameroon take on Botswana at the same venue at 15h00.