World Cup quarter-finalists Ghana are red-hot favourites to lift coveted trophy

The last tournament’s losing finalists Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire are considered favourites for the title in this year Africa Cup of Nations.

Many expect the Black Stars to at least reach the final given their performance over the past two years when, besides losing to Egypt in the finals in Angola, they also reached the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals.

Nothing however seems clear-cut in this group in spite of the much talked-about Ghanaian passage to the quarter-final stage. 

Ghana

It has been 30 years since Ghana won the Nations Cup and the wait has been too long for the hugely football-talented nation.

Ghana was the first team to win the Africa Cup of Nations title four times before the Pharaohs of Egypt caught up and surpassed them.

They won their last title in 1982, in Libya, as Abedi Pele was making his debut in the competition just before he turned 18.

With key striker Asamoah Gyan struggling with injury, Ghana’s fortunes lie in the performance of Pele’s sons Andre and Jordan, who have been in top form for their French club Marseille.

There is also the absence of midfielder Michael Essien.

However, with the likes of John Mensah, Samuel Inkoom, John Paintsil and Isaac Vorsah, an effective midfield commanded by Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Derek Boateng, Kwadwo Asamoah, Anthony Annan and the experienced Sulley Muntari, there is more to expect from the West Africans.

Guinea

The Syli National’s best performance in recent years was in 2004 where they reached the quarter-final.

They were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by Mali through Mahamadou Diarra, who scored the decisive goal in extra time after Pascal Feindouno had netted for Guinea.

The 2004 team was led by Aboubakar Titi Camara, the current Minister of Youth and Sports.

Guinea also reached the quarter-finals in 2006 in Egypt only to be eliminated by Senegal.

They then suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals in Ghana.

Four years later, the Syli National has made a comeback with a mix of competitive players.

These include Feindouno, Morlaye Cissé, Kamil Zayatte, Oumar Kalabane and Ismaël Bangoura, as well as youngster Abdoul Razzagui Camara, who will be playing in his first Cup of Nation finals.