Names do not play football - Rajevic

(William Ezah, GNA Special Correspondent in Cabinda, Angola, courtesy Ministry of Youth and Sports)

Cabinda, Angola, Jan. 12, GNA - Milovan Rajevic, head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars has down played the impact of high profile players in the Ivorian national team.

He noted that "names do not play football", insisting that his players have what it takes to win against the Ivorians on Friday at the Estadio Nacionale Chaizi in Cabinda.

Coach Rajevic reckoned that the Ivorians have big names and more experienced players as compared to Ghana but his side is made up of a bunch of youthful players with enough international exposure and are hungry for success.

"Cote d'Ivoire is a good team with a lot of quality and experienced players. They are almost the best in Africa and there is no doubt about that.

"But we also have world champions in our midst and their blend with other experienced players in the team will see us presenting a very formidable side capable of picking the three points at stake on Friday", the coach told the GNA Sports after their training session on Tuesday morning. He added "we are focused and well prepared for the competition, both tactically and psychologically and I don't see us losing on Friday. "Winning is a must if we have to advance to the next stage of the competition and my players are aware of the situation". He stated. Coach Rajevic, however, conceded that it was not going to be an easy encounter after watching the Ivorians play Burkina Faso last Monday. On the absence of Togo in their group, coach Rajevic expressed disappointment at the turn of events, saying it was not a pleasant experience for football.

He said the withdrawal of Togo dealt a big blow to the competition, but it will not make any difference in the group. The coach said the group still remains a difficult one and each team must go the extra mile to secure qualification to the next stage of the competition.

"Whether we are three or four, it comes with the same form of difficulty and we must get ourselves ready to pick one out of the two slots for the quarterfinals in the group". He stated.

The Black Stars of Ghana will open the championship on Friday against the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire after the withdrawal of Togo. It will be the second and last game for the Ivorians after their match against the Burkinabe ended goalless last Monday.