Avram Grant Ready for Ghana Challenge at AFCON 2015: “Football is the Same Everywhere”
Newly appointed Ghana Black Stars head coach Avram Grant is preparing for his debut in African football with a clear goal in mind: lead Ghana to victory at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
Despite having no prior experience in African competitions, the Israeli coach remains unfazed:
“Football is the same everywhere. In every competition, you want to win it,” he told the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Tough Task Ahead
Drawn into Group C, widely considered the “Group of Death”, Ghana will face:
Senegal
Algeria
South Africa
Avram Grant had anticipated a challenging group even before the draw, and now he must rely on the quality and experience of his squad to meet expectations and advance past the first round.
Background and Doubts
Grant’s coaching résumé includes:
Israel national team (2002–2006)
Chelsea FC (2007–2008), where he led the club to the UEFA Champions League final
Spells at Portsmouth and West Ham in the English Premier League
Though known for a calm demeanor, his ability to handle star-studded squads was questioned during his Chelsea stint, especially in dealing with high-profile players like Didier Drogba.
This challenge may resurface with the Black Stars, who underperformed at the 2014 World Cup and were marred by internal issues. The Ghanaian public remains cautiously optimistic.
Now, with AFCON 2015 looming, all eyes will be on Avram Grant to see if he can unite and inspire Ghana’s talented squad to return to continental glory — a title they haven’t won since 1982.
