Ghana will be without star player Michael Essien for Sunday's final
With Ghana gearing up to face Egypt in this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations final, Kick It Out spoke to former Ghanaian under-20 international Kamil Mouktar to gauge his thoughts on the momentous year ahead for African football.
Ghana have won the Africa Cup of Nations an impressive four times, whilst the country's under-20 team are the current world champions, having won the 2009 under-20 World Cup in Egypt.
As a former under-20 international himself, Mouktar was delighted at the victory. “I was really proud of them, it’s the first time that our country has won this cup, they played really well, I was so happy for them.
"When I was playing in the under 20’s team we reached the semi-finals and were unfortunate to be beaten by Uruguay, then the team before tried and lost and even the team after us tried but were unsuccessful, so for them to win was a real achievement for Ghana.”
Hopeful
Kamil is hopeful that the full national side can repeat the success in Angola on Sunday, despite the absence of stars such as Michael Essien and Stephen Appiah.
“I have known Appiah for a very long time, I remember him having so much enthusiasm when we played together for the Ghanaian under 20’s. To have both him and Essien injured is a major blow for our country.
“However I believe that whenever there is a negative there is always a positive. With the absence of Essien in the squad, it’s going to be quite difficult, but one positive thing that the team can take out of this is the experience. I am pretty confident that we can do well because I believe we still have a strong squad."
Mouktar expressed his excitement about this year’s FIFA World Cup being held for the first time on the African Continent. “It’s an amazing thing that going to happen, for the first time a senior men’s football competition will be held in Africa. No one thought that Africa would ever host such a major tournament, but it’s happening.
'Pull together'
“Africa should pull together as one as well as individual countries during the tournament. It will bring equality to the game and I know we will do our best.”
The World Cup this year will be of much significance to the people of Africa as a nation in terms of changing the world’s perception of Africa. Kamil agrees that this World Cup is particularly important, as this could be the re-invention of Africa.
“It’s very important, not only to South Africa but to all the African countries. Western European people, who have never travelled to Africa, believe how Africa is from just seeing what is reinforced in the media.
"When they travel to Africa, to watch and support their country, they will see for themselves the side of Africa that the media doesn’t show them.”
