Former France captain Marcel Desailly hasà predictedà Ghana will struggle at the 2014 World Cup but remainsà buoyant about Cote D'voire's à chances of progressing to the last four in Brazil.Ã
The Ghanaian-born international feels the Black Stars will face a difficult task of progressing from a group which comprises of Europeans heavyweights Germany and Portugal as well as USA.
The Black Stars will open their campaign against the Yankes in Natal on Monday eager to start on a good footing before clashing with Germany and Cristiano Ronaldoââ¬â¢s led Portugal.
Desailly expects the Ivorians to become Africaââ¬â¢s torch bearers.
ââ¬ÅI believe in Ghana, but I think that among all the African teams, Côte D'Ivoire have a greater potential. Much of Ivorian players are first-choice in major European clubs,â⬠he told Footbal.fr.
ââ¬ÅFor me, Côte D'Ivoire have a potential and they can get to the semi-finals.
ââ¬ÅGhana is in a very difficult group comprising of Germany, Portugal and USA and their chances are pretty tough."
Despite being touted as underdogs in previous tournaments, the Africans have surpassed expectations by qualifying to the round 16 and quarter-final stages in 2006 and 2010 respectively.
On paper, Ivory Coast seems to have a rather easy task as they are drawn against Colombia, Japan and Greece in group C.