Four-time champions Ghana open the 26th edition of the MTN Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday with a tricky tie against Guinea in Accra.


The Black Stars have been tipped as one of the favourites of this year’s tournament but the host nation must first beat the in-form Sylli National if they are to make an impression in this competition.


Ghana are under pressure to emulate the two previous hosts of the tournament, Egypt in 2006 and Tunisia in 2004, to win the tournament and must first assert themselves in the difficult Group A that includes Morocco and Namibia.

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That expectation is not misplaced because the Black Stars were the only African side to have reached the second round of the World Cup in Germany 16 months ago and the fans of the West African side are expecting their first title in 26 years.


"We face unbelievable expectations. Ghana has not been African champions since 1982 and we know that we are in a very difficult group," Ghana coach Claude Le Roy said.


The Frenchman’s task has been made difficult by the fact that inspirational captain Stephen Appiah will not be available for this tournament because of injury but his side is still regarded as the team with the best midfield in the tournament.


Hearts midfielder Laryea Kingston is expected to marshal the midfield in the absence of the Fenerbahce ace while Chelsea’s Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari of Portsmouth as well as Dutch-born Quincy Owusu Abeyie are expected to rise to the occasion to help the Black Stars fulfil their ambitions.


With this midfield and a compact defence led stand-in captain John Mensah, supplies to the attack should not be a problem against a Guinea side whose rear is not its strongest point.


But the Black Stars have to contend with the lack of a proven marksman as the pair of Italy-based Asamoah Gyan and Junior Agogo, who plays in the third tier of English football, has not impressed many.


However, Le Roy is keen to stress that Gyan is an effective target man who can wreak havoc on any side in the competition.


"People say we have no killer in attack, but Asamoah Gyan is one of the best strikers in the world and he is very criticised, even here," Le Roy said.


"People forget that he is 21, that he was 20 at the World Cup and that despite his young age he scored goals and impressed.


He has exceptional qualities." Even though the Black Stars have any effective side to battle any team on the continent, they have found opening matches in this tournament difficult.


In the past eight years the Black Stars have failed to win their three opening MTN Africa Cup of Nations matches.


When Ghana co-hosted with Nigeria in 2000, the Black Stars drew their opening game against Cameroon in Accra and two years later were held in their first group game against Morocco in Mali.


In the previous tournament in Egypt two years ago Ghana lost their opening game to Nigeria and Guinea are keen to use their recent Nations Cup credentials to extend the Black Stars winless streak in the opening matches.


Guinea were exciting in 2004 and 2006 as they reached the quarter finals of both tournaments, captain Pascal Feindounou and Fode Mansare are still around to help the Sylli National get off to a good start against Ghana.


The striking duo of Souleymane Youla and Ismael Bangura are expected to pose problems for Ghana’s defence while Scotland-based defender Bobo Balde is expected to provide the needed experience at the defence.


Feindounou is confident that they can beat the Black Stars in Accra under French coach Robert Nouzaret to help them book a spot in the last four.


"We are in Ghana to improve upon our previous records in the tournament by booking a place in the semi finals of the competition," the France-based midfielder said.


"We are well prepared for the tournament and nothing would stop us from achieving our target." Despite their optimism, history favours the Black Stars as the Guineans have not beaten Ghana in 38 years.


In their nine meetings since 1970, Ghana have beaten Guinea six times with the rest ending in draws.











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