Ex-Ghana international Samuel Osei Kuffour has advised countries playing in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to never underestimate the strength of any team.
Speaking to the Guardian newspaper, the former defender said qualifying to the 28th edition of the continental showpiece attests to the fact that every team is strong enough to clinch the trophy. However, he was categorical in expressing his belief that the tournament will be unaffected by Nigeria’s absence.
“We have to respect teams that qualified for the 2012 Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon because they are good to have made it to the last 16 in the continent,” the Bayern Munich legend said.
“If Nigeria did not qualify, they have to accept it in good faith because from 1984 to1992, Ghana did not qualify for the Nations Cup. That countries like Nigeria, Cameroun and Egypt did not make it to the 2012 Nations Cup showed that other nations are working to demystify the super powers of the game in Africa,” he added.
Kuffour expressed confidence that the Super Eagles could rediscover old form and even qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“What Nigeria needs to do is to put themselves together and begin to rebuild and now that they have Stephen Keshi as the coach, I believe they can get back to their form again,” explained the former Black Star.
“Ghana could not qualify for the 2004 Nations Cup but made it to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. I think this can also happen to Nigeria that if they don’t feature in 2012 Nations Cup, they can qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.”