Stars In 'Group Of Death'

Didier Drogba and Stephen Appiah

The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations draw took place yesterday at the Talatona Convention Center in Luanda, with Ghana being placed in Group B- the 'Group of Death'.

The other members of the group are Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso And Togo.

Indeed it is the only group that has two World Cup bound teams- Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire.

Hosts Angola are in Group A alongside Mali, Algeria and Malawi, while Nigeria, Egypt, Benin and Mozambique are in Group C.

Group D comprises Cameroon, Tunisia, Zambia and Gabon.

Angola versus Mali will be the opening game of the tournament.

Group A will be based in Luanda, Ghana's Group B will be in Cabinda in the north of the country, Group C will play in Benguela, and Group D will be based in Lubango.

A cross-section of Ghanaians who spoke to DAILY GUIDE SPORTS after the draw expressed optimism in spite of Ghana's group, saying the Black Stars are capable of beating any team.

Kwame Adonten, a football administrator, noted: “I don't see what the hullabaloo is all about. Is it because we are in the same group as Cote d'Ivoire? Wasn't it the same team we beat in the Nations Cup in Ghana?”

Rashid Kawawa, a soccer fan, said: “No team in Africa can stand toe-to-toe with the Black Stars. I believe we will beat Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire), and the other two teams to top our group. No shaking!”

On her part, Isabelle Ayitey, another soccer fan indicated that she is convinced the Black Stars are the team to beat at the Nations Cup in Angola, “so no team can scare us”.   

Group A: Angola, Mali, Algeria, Malawi.
Group B: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Burkina Faso.
Group C: Egypt, Nigeria, Benin, Mozambique.
Group D: Cameroon, Tunisia, Zambia, Gabon.
By Mohammed Muniru Kassim