You are here: HomeSportsSoccer2013 01 19Article 262636

Soccer News of Saturday, 19 January 2013

Source: Abagna Jose Nelson, Bolgatanga

Inexperience will not cost Black Stars - Ahinful

Former Ghana international, Augustine Ahinful says the idea that majority of Black Stars players are not much experienced as they head towards the Nations’ Cup will not affect the team’s chances of winning the competition which begins this weekend at South Africa.

The senior national team go into this year’s tournament with 10 debutant in the squad and people think this might just be the undoing of the team. However, Ahinful who is a member of the FA's technical committee does not believe the team’s low experience perceived by many, will have any effect on the team at the tournament.

“For me experience will not affect the team from doing well because if you look at the players selected by Coach Appiah some of them are making their 3rd appearance at the tournament and are even more than experienced,,” Ahinful told URA Radio Sports in Bolgatanga.

He continued: “I think we should not be talking about that but rather how the team will blend together, not experience or lack of it. We have always depended on one player and for me I have always said that is not good for us as a country.”

The Black Stars had a very impressive training matches beating Egypt 3-0 and having to come back from two goals down to beat Tunisia by 4-2.

The senior national team are pitted in group B alongside DR Congo, Niger and Mali, and will open the tournament against DR Congo on January 20 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, before games against West African neighbours Mali (January 24) and Niger on 28 January round up the group stages.