2012 Africa Cup of Nations Team Profile: Ghana

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations is fast approaching, and those taking part are keen to begin their run in the tournament, with an eye on the ultimate prize. The...

The 2012 Africa Cup of Nations is fast approaching, and those taking part are keen to begin their run in the tournament, with an eye on the ultimate prize. The 2012 Afcon takes place from 21 January to February 12, and it is to be co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Some teams will be experiencing their first participation at the competition, while others will be aiming to write their names in the record books as Africa’s best when the final takes place at the Stade d’Angondje in Libreville on February 12. Goal.com introduces you to the 16 teams that will be taking part in this highly-anticipated competition. Here we profile the Black Stars of Ghana.

AFCON HISTORY

Previous Appearances: 1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010

Best Performance: Champions: 1963, 1965, 1978, 1982

Runners-Up: 1992, 2010

HOW THEY QUALIFIED FOR AFCON 2012

GROUP I WINNER Ghana kept a clean sheet throughout their qualification campaign, drawing only with Sudan. The four-time African champions began the journey with a 3-0 win over Swaziland, drew with the Nile Crocodiles but won convincingly against Congo in their third game. They won all their return leg matches, capping off their schedule with a 2-0 victory over Sudan in Khartoum.

GORAN STEVANOVIC | Coach The Serbian has performed well with his tactics, with the Black Stars scoring more goals than in the era before he took over. ‘Plavi’, as he is affectionately called, has promised to end Ghana’s Afcon drought in 2012 and it appears his output so far lends credence to that fact.

JOHN MENSAH | Captain The Olympique Lyon defender has been rock solid in Ghana’s backline. Mensah took over from inspirational captain Stephen Appiah and although injuries have blighted his career to a certain extent, the 28-year-old has always availed himself to country whenever he is in good shape. Afcon 2012 could be his major test with the armband.

ASAMOAH GYAN | Star Player ‘The Baby Jet’ has been Ghana’s goal-scoring

ASAMOAH GYAN

hope for some time now. He rose to stardom during the 2010 edition and increased his value at the last World Cup in South Africa. The Al Ain striker is undoubtedly the Black Stars’ target-man upfront and a repeat of the Angola feat could revive the confidence fans had in him prior to his move to Asia.

ANDRE AYEW | Young Talent He is touted as the midfield playmaker of the Ghana team. The Olympique Marseille player peaked early in his career, and after the 2009 Under-20 World Cup accomplishment, the 21-year-old has been phenomenal with the national team. He certainly has the potential to be a future captain of the Black Stars.

PROBABLE STARTING XI Serbian coach Goran Stevanovic alternates between the traditional 4-4-2 formation, the attack-minded 4-3-3 and sometimes even the more conservative 4-5-1 depending on the opposition he encounters, and he will almost certainly use a selection of set-ups during the Afcon finals.

(4-4-2)

Kwarasey

Paintsil, Vorsah, Mensah, Opare

Annan, Boateng, Badu, A. Ayew

Tagoe, Gyan

Source: Yahoo News UK