Luanda, Angola, Jan. 26, GNA - Milovan Rajevic, head coach of the Black Stars has said he is cautiously optimistic about the chances of the team in the semi final game against Nigeria on Thursday, saying the game is unpredictable.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the team's hotel in Luanda, coach Rajevic said the Nigerian side is an experienced one as compared to the Ghanaians and they know what they want in every game. Coach Rajevic said the Nigerians have also proven to be a side with a well defined strategy in each game, adding that they are very difficult side to deal with.
The Serbian also reckoned that he cannot make an easy assessment of the Nigerian team based on their performance against Zambia which was decided on a penalty shoot out.
"Though they did not play so well in the game against Zambia, it will be a big mistake to conclude that they will repeat the same performance in the next game against Ghana.
"We have to be cautious in the game and execute our strategy with the needed perfection". Coach Rajevic indicated.
He said "Cote d'Ivoire did not play well against Burkina Faso in their first game but you all saw what they did when we met them in the second game".
Touching on the strength of his team, coach Milo said, even though his side has a large number of inexperienced players he is convinced that blending them with the few experienced players in camp will promote his cause.
"The mixture is an excellent one and they are poised to deliver on Thursday. We have just a day to round up our plans for the match and I'm confident victory will be ours".
Asked whether he will make changes to the team that played last Sunday, he said "it is not possible to play a competition with one game plan, because every opponent comes with different challenges and you will need to vary your game all the time".
The coach, however, revealed that Opoku Agyemang will miss the game because he had picked two yellow cards, adding that his absence will call for a change in the starting line up.
Coach Rajevic also indicated that Anthony Annan is likely to take up a role in the game because he has seen massive improvement after he recovered from his thigh injury.
The coach said even though he cannot predict the outcome of the game, he is confident of securing victory for Ghana to advance to the final stage of the competition.