Barnes says African teams should toughen up
Published:Wednesday | January 27, 2010 | 12:14 PM
Former England and Liverpool midfielder John Barnes says African teams need to toughen up mentally to improve their chances of winning the World Cup.
The former Reggae Boyz coach is in Angola, which is currently hosting the African Cup of Nations, to promote England\'s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
Barnes said physically and tactically African teams can compete with anyone but they don’t have 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.
The Jamaican-born Barnes said Ghana and Nigeria are strong contenders for the World Cup but they need to believe in their abilities.