In the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) clash, Irish footballer Pico Lopes is set to face off against Chris Hughton’s Ghana team. Lopes, representing Cape Verde, will meet Hughton, the Head Coach of Ghana, in Abidjan on Sunday evening. Both share Irish heritage, with Hughton being the first black player for the Republic of Ireland and Lopes, a Crumlin native, playing for Cape Verde, the country of his father Carlos.

Lopes expressed his admiration for Hughton, highlighting the significance of facing him on the football field. He looks forward to the match, eager to exchange words with Hughton before or after the game. The AFCON format allows the top two teams from each group, along with four of the six third-placed sides, to qualify for the next stage.

Anticipating a tough game against Ghana, Lopes recognizes their strength with notable players like Michael Essien, the Ayew brothers, and West Ham United’s Mohammad Kudus. He acknowledges the challenging nature of the AFCON tournament, citing teams like Morocco, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Egypt, Cameroon, and Morocco as strong contenders. Reflecting on Cape Verde’s previous AFCON performance, Lopes expresses the team’s goal to progress further this time but emphasizes the importance of focusing on the first game to secure points and advance.

Lopes, who was part of the Blue Sharks team in the last AFCON, hopes for an enhanced tournament experience with full access for fans. Despite the impact of COVID-19 on the previous edition, he looks forward to playing in front of a passionate African crowd and embracing the unique atmosphere they bring to the stadiums.