Ghana’s search for a fifth continental silverware begins today when they take on Senegal in a Group c opener at Estadio de Mongomo.
The strength of the free-scoring Senegalese team, who conceded just a goal throughout their eight Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) qualifiers, confirms the underdog status of the Ghanaians.
But camp news clearly suggests that the Black Stars are bent on winning today’s game in style to restore the goodwill they once enjoyed back home.
Again, Ghana’s supremacy over their West African opponents in the last three years – winning one of their three encounters and drawing two – puts Ghana in a good stead to begin the campaign on a good footing.
Certainly, the strong desire to right the Brazil World Cup wrong as well as break the trophy famine remains the Black Stars’ trump card. Skipper Asamoah Gyan earlier stated emphatically, “We want to break the jinx (of not winning the tournament since 1982). That is what Ghanaians want, and it is something we the players also want.”
With charges like Asamoah Gyan, Dede Ayew, Jonathan Mensah, Rabiu Mohammed, Baba Rahman, Harrison Afful, Christian Atsu, Frank Acheampong and Kwesi Appiah, former Chelsea coach Avram Grant is expected to bring his rich experience to bear on the Ghana team though new on the African terrain.
With Frenchman Alain Giresse in charge, Senegal, on the other hand, are likely to parade stars like Cheikhou Kouyaté, Mame Biram Diouf, Sadio Mané, and Papiss Cissé.
Source: GhanaWeb
