Grant confident of Black Stars’ progress despite tough draw

Black Stars of Ghana’s coach, Avram Grant, is confident of his team’s chances at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea despite being drawn in the ‘Group of Death’.

The four-time champions, Ghana were drawn against Algeria, South Africa and Senegal in Group C following the draw conducted on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at the Sipopo Convention Centre in Malabo.

But Grant, former Chelsea manager, is optimistic his team will excel at the AFCON which commences in January 17, 2015.

“When we go to the AFCON, as a coach I want us to win games and we will win games and will see what will happen. But we will do our best at the tournament,” Grant said.

Hosts Equatorial Guinea are in Group A, which will be based in Basa, alongside neighbours, Gabon, Congo and Burkina Faso.

Group B to be based in Ebibeyin has 2012 winners, Zambia, 2004 winners Tunisia, Cape Verde and DR Congo, who qualified as the best third-place team.

Malabo-based Group D has 1992 winners, Cote d’Ivoire, four-time winners Cameroon, Mali and Guinea.

Equatorial Guinea will face Congo in the opening match on Saturday, January 17, 2015 in Bata.

The groups at a glance

Group A

Equatorial Guinea, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Congo

Group B

Zambia, Tunisia, Cape Verde, DR Congo

Group C

Ghana, Algeria, South Africa, Senegal

Group D

Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Cameroon, Guinea