Song: Ghana & Ivory Coast are not 2012 Afcon favourites

The former defender believes African football has transformed to the extent that it is now very difficult to point out who will win the next Afcon.Former Cameroon captain Rigobert Song has dismissed claims that west African nations Ghana and Ivory Coast are favourites for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.The defender told Accra-based television channel Joy Sports that the 28th edition of the continental showpiece is anybody’s game and he does not think the Black Stars and the Elephants are automatic finalists."There is no clear favourite because you see we [Cameroon] are in a difficult situation by not qualifying,” the former Liverpool guardsman said. “Likewise Egypt and Nigeria so it's not going to be easy.""Every country is good now so it will not be easy for any team to win.   “All these new countries in the tournament can cause a surprise and if that happens it will be good because will know that African football is improving and not for a few countries,” he added.   Song won the Nations Cup twice with the Indomitable Lions before retiring from active football.