Ghana declares – We are ready to live up to our billing

   

  

Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic says that the results so far in the 28^th edition of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations indicated that there are no small teams in the competition. The Serbian was speaking ahead of their opening match against debutants Botswana scheduled for Franceville before Mali and Guinea complete the first matches for all teams at the finals. “After what we have seen so far in the matches here at the finals, we are not going to take any team lightly “said Stevanovic. “ Our first game against Botswana is very important perhaps even more so than the final itself because once in the final you don’t need much motivation” said Stevanovic.

The Blacks Stars coach went on to add that he had done his preparation on the match and done his homework on the opponents whom he said are a good side and qualified ahead of Tunisia. “The players are ready and we know our quality and come Tuesday we want to play and send a message that Ghana means business and we are the team to beat”   Ghana team captain John Mensah , striker Asamoah Gyan and midfielder Dede Ayew joined the coach at the press conference ahead of the Botswana game. Mensah spoke of a focused group of players ready to go one better than 2010 finals in Angola where the Black Stars lost to Egypt in the final, “Winning the Cup is our target and the boys are ready to end Ghana’s long draught for the title “ said the skipper

 

Meanwhile striker Gyan was confident but cautious saying “We know that quality we possess and l have confidence in the Black Stars but we will not underrate any team here at the finals. We won’t put ourselves under pressure but we will play our game and do so with an aim to realize our potential. Ayew echoed his team-mates’ rallying call saying, “The guys in the camp are motivated and working with coach Stevanovic has been great and they cannot wait for the first game to get underway. Ayew brushed aside the huge expectations on him to emulate his father Abedi “Pele” Ayew and excel in the famous number 10 shirt his dad used to wear. “It is just a number really and l will still play out my best wearing any other number, what is important is for the Black Stars to do well here and we are ready to perform well and justify the favourites tag” said Ayew