PORT ELIZABETH — Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah is expecting to find Cape Verde a vastly tougher side to beat in the African Nations Cup quarterfinal Saturday than the one that lost 1-0 to his team in a friendly in November. “The two games have absolutely nothing in common,” Appiah told reporters at his pre-match media briefing at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Friday. “Only four or five players from that side are here — but the players who are here are tougher, stronger and far more confident. “I believe Cape Verde is a very strong team now. I still think we will beat them, but it will not be easy.” Appiah came in for some criticism earlier in the week when he said he would rather face tournament favorite Ivory Coast than Cape Verde at this stage — a comment that raised some eyebrows among his domestic media. But he explained what he meant Friday: “The reason for thinking that is because I know every player in the Ivory Coast side and I know what to expect from them. “Cape Verde, on the other hand, are coming to the game a very strong team but with no pressure on them at all. “They are not expected to win, and so they have nothing to lose and that is a fear for me. Of course Ivory Coast is a dangerous opponent, but you know how to plan for a familiar opponent under pressure like yourself.” Appiah is certainly a man under pressure. Ghana, which won all of its four African titles between 1963 and 1982, is desperate to end its 31-year wait for its fifth crown. They were the only African side to advance from the group stage of the World Cup in South Africa three years ago when it was a penalty kick away from the semifinals, and is currently ranked 26th in the world. Ghana will be a full-strength after three injury-hit stars — Mubarak Wakaso, Anthony Annan and Richmond Boakye-Yiadom — returned to training. Mali plans upset Mali plans to play party-poopers in the quarterfinals when it confronts host South Africa Saturday before a sell-out 60,000 Durban crowd. A year ago almost to the day, giant striker Cheick Tidiane Diabate levelled with six minutes left to force co-host Gabon into extra time and a penalty shootout, won by the Malian Eagles. South Africa, like Gabon, is favorite, despite the best efforts of coach Gordon Igesund to convince the media otherwise ahead of the only last-eight fixture that is not an all-west Africa affair. Mali defeated South Africa 2-0 at the last-eight stage when it hosted the African football showcase 11 years ago and has won all four quarterfinals, three in regular time and one via a shootout. That South African loss in the heart of west Africa marked the end of a great run by Bafana Bafana (The Boys) that brought gold at home in 1996, silver in Burkina Faso two years later and bronze in Ghana at the 2000 tournament. South Africa has not passed the first round at the Cup of Nations since while Mali continues to punch above its weight, finishing third last year behind shock winner Zambia and runner-up Ivory Coast. Home advantage, passionate support and several superb goals from unlikely sources have raised hopes that South Africa can match the team of 1996 and lift the trophy, although central defensive weaknesses are a concern. But a Mali team desperate to bring a joyful diversion to a country battling militants is unlikely to be a pushover, especially with the cultured left boot of former Barcelona ‘super sub' Seydou Keita in midfield. Igesund, hoping to win the Cup of Nations just six months after inheriting the hot seat from axed Pitso Mosimane, is warier of the Malians than many supporters, who believe a home victory is inevitable. “Mali are a talented team with very good players. They play differently from the other sides we have met so far. They like to slow things down, they like to knock the ball around. “The Malians are all big boys. I watched them draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo and all 11 are tall. We have to use the ball well, keep it on the ground, get behind them,” stressed silver-haired Igesund. — Agencies
