Port Gentil, Gabon – The coaches involved in Tuesday night's African Cup of Nations Group D match between Ghana and Uganda have spoken about their team's chances at Stade de Port-Gentil in Gabon.
They play each other in the first game at 6pm SA time with Mali and Egypt fighting it out in the later 9pm kick-off. Ghana head coach Avram Grant feels his preparations have gone well.
"We started in Accra for four days with the domestic players, then all the squad gathered in the United Arab Emirates. The spirit is good and we're looking forward to the first game against Uganda," he said.
"Uganda is a tough team that plays very good football. They gave us tough moments in our past two meetings, but that is history now. This is a very tough group. Our task is to show to others that we are a strong team. It is going to be a tough game after all.
"Football is about pressure, and you can't achieve anything without pressure. Pressure is not a negative word. Two years ago, they said we (Ghana) are under pressure and we went all the way, but to lose the final on penalty shootout.
"Now we want to achieve something. These players want to make their fans happy and proud; that's why I selected them. Captain Asamoah Gyan feels a win will bring back the confidence after some tough preparation.
"We worked so hard and we're ready for the first game. We're playing against a tough side, a side that we have struggled against lately. It's not going to be easy but we will do our best. We are here to win, and this is the start.
"We came very close to the trophy two years ago. This year we have almost the same players with some young ones who joined the team recently, but 95 percent of the team is the same. We also have got a coach who has worked with us for two years.
"Everything can happen in a tournament. We've got a strong team but we have to demonstrate it to people on the pitch. With all due respect to Uganda, but numbers say we're ahead of them. If they beat us, it will be great news for them; but if we beat them it's normal. They're a great team and they improved a lot especially in the last year. We respect them and we're positive.
Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević, Ugandan head coach, admitted that his team would be the underdogs and said the match would be a learning experience irrespective of the result.
"I feel honoured and privileged to be here. We've worked very hard for this moment to come. Millions of people dreamed of this to happen and they are waiting with pride. The last time we played in the Africa Cup of Nations was the 1978 final against Ghana. After 39 years, we are back and our first match is against Ghana again. It is a meaningful destiny.
"Ghana is a great football nation and we have very good relationships with them; they are like our role models. In the last three encounters, they have failed to beat us, but as they say 'history will not play tomorrow'.
"Ghana is a team with top class players and they are one of the tournament favorites. Since 2008, they are always in the top four. They were runner-ups two years ago; this proves they are a top team. What I think of them I will share with my players, not to the public.
"We will fight for first goal, first point, first win and possible qualification to the next round. The fact that we are the only country from the CECAFA region makes us proud. If we do well, then we have achieved a feat. If not, it's an experience and a step towards the future. We are building a team and we have a project for Cameroon 2019. I am proud to coach Uganda. Since I took over, we have won 27 games, drew nine and nine losses. We have established a team identity and we will keep this starting Tuesday's game."
Captain Geofrey Massa joked his team were not tourists and had come to AFCON for business.
"We have a purpose and we will start it. It's a good feeling to be my team captain after all these years. It's a motivation to the players and we are all happy and can’t wait for Tuesday's game. It won’t be easy against Ghana but we know why we are here.
"We had good results against them recently. Millions of people are waiting for us with happiness and this is our motivation. We have a great coach who always encourages the players. He's a blessing to Uganda. We have a lot of young players in the team. Playing against Ghana is tough, but we will be up to the mission."