LUANDA: Former England and Liverpool midfielder John Barnes says African teams need to toughen up mentally to improve their chances of winning the World Cup.
Barnes is in Angola, which is currently hosting the African Cup of Nations, to promote England s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Physically and tactically, they can compete with anyone, Barnes told reporters at a Catholic-run orphanage, where he was running a football clinic Wednesday. What they don t have is the psychological aspect of winning.
Besides host South Africa, five African nations – Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana, Cameroon and Ivory Coast – will be competing at the World Cup which begins in June.
The England delegation will be present as observers at the Confederation of African Football Congress Friday before attending the African Cup final two days later.
Four-time champion Ghana takes on Nigeria in semifinals Thursday while defending champion Egypt hopes to stay on course for its third straight title when it plays Algeria.
The Jamaican-born Barnes said Ghana and Nigeria are strong contenders for the World Cup but they need to believe in their abilities.
Look at Pele. He said an African team will win the World Cup, Barnes said. He is African but he is also Brazilian. He has the mental winning strength of a Brazilian. That s lacking here in Africa.
Barnes also addressed Liverpool s struggles in the Premier League, saying he thinks the team can still earn a Champions League spot despite a poor start to the season. But he urged the club to add more top-quality players.
Liverpool overachieved last year, Barnes said. They need to add more quality. They have (Steven) Gerrard and (Fernando) Torres. It s just not enough.
