Clottey eyes Esperance & Nations’ Cup glory

Tunisia based striker Emmanuel Clottey believes Ghana’s time to conquer Africa again is on the horizon at next January and February’s South Africa 2013.

Clottey who recently switched Berekum Chelsea for Tunisian giants Esperance du Tunis, has exclusively told 90 MINUTES from his Tunis base that the current national team are determined to defy the odds and claim Ghana’s first silverware at senior level spanning over three decades. “Yes, by the grace of God, we will win the Africa Cup in South Africa. We know how much Ghanaians want this cup because we have been witnesses ourselves growing up,” Clottey said in a chat.

He added: “Every tournament, the whole nation have high hopes only to be disappointed. We are not looking at any opponent, we are our own threat. We know it’s going to be tough but we will work very hard to do it.” The former Ghana goal king struck 12 goals, just one shy of the all-time record to propel Berekum Chelsea to a good run in this year’s CAF Champions’ League.

A record $1.5m move to join compatriot Harrison Afful at Esperance followed swiftly and the Ghana hitman who still leads the top scorer race even as Chelsea bowed out after the group games, is praying for success for his new club in the two-legged final against record winners Al Ahly so he can play in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan as Africa’s representatives. Esperance took a giant step towards doing just that after claiming a priceless 1-1 draw from the first leg away in Cairo last Sunday, even though Afful will miss the decisive game in Tunis through suspension. “Yes we are playing against Al Ahly but you know I can’t play. All I can do is pray and hope we do beat them so that we can go to the World Club Cup. It’s a very big tournament and the whole world will be watching. It will be fantastic to play at the tournament,” Clottey told 90 MINUTES.