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Guinea is strongest of finalist of Ghana 2008 - Le Roy
Accra, Oct. 9, Ghanadot/GNA - Claude Le Roy, head coach of
Ghana's Black Stars has rated the Syli Nationale of Guinea
as the strongest among the sixteen finalists for the Ghana
2008 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Stars coach said that Guinea is currently the best team
on the continent and has tipped them to go far during the
January 20 - February 10, 2008 Championships slated for
Ghana.
Coach Le Roy who stated this on Wednesday during a media
briefing in Accra said the West African side have a compact
side with a lot of skilful players and is the team to beat
during the Championships.
Guinea qualified ahead of 1990 Africa Champions Algeria in
Group Eight and the Frenchman insists they have a strong
side capable of lifting the ultimate come January 20.
"They have some skilful like Pascal Feinduno and others. I
think they can be Africa Champions in February."
The Black Stars will pitch their strength against the Syli
National and two others in a four-nation tournament in
November, and Le Roy believes it will serve as a good
preparation for his team.
The Republic of Benin and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
complete the quartet for the November 17-21 championships
billed for the Ohene Djan and Baba Yara Sports Stadium in
Accra and Kumasi respectively.
Guinea exited the 25th edition of the African showpiece
soccer event in Egypt in 2006 at the quarter-final stage,
but the Stars trainer says the team has matured and is in
good shape.
The draw for the competition has been fixed for October 19
in Accra.
Meanwhile, the GFA has announced that the Black Stars -
Reggae Boys (Jamaica) October 17 friendly clash had been
called off.
The game was originally scheduled for London but the police
in the English capital were said to have declared that they
could not assure of maximum security forcing the GFA to
shift the game to Accra, where the El-Wak Stadium remained
the only alternative.
This means the Stars will be inactive this October but are
expected to bounce back next month during the four-nation
tourney.
GNA
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