Ghana’s title pedigree will be tested when they start their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations campaign against debutants Botswana in Group D on Tuesday.
The match kicks off at Estadio de Franceville, 18h00 (SA, CAT, GMT+2) SA time.
In 2010 the Black Stars went all the way to the final where they conceded a late goal to lose to Egypt 1-0, and should be determined to go all the way this time around.
Although they kicked off that campaign with a 3-1 loss to Ivory Coast, they will be expected to do well against the Zebras, who are playing in this competition for the first time.
However, Stanley Tshosane’s men were the first team to qualify for this tournament as winners of Group K, which included Tunisia, Togo, Malawi and Chad.
Ghana also had a comfortable qualification campaign and finished unbeaten to top Group I against the likes of Sudan, Congo and minnows Swaziland.
Although the Black Stars are 68 positions higher than their opponents at 26th in Fifa's world rankings, Zambia’s win over fancied Senegal will serve as a warning against complacency.
Goran Stevanovic’s men prepared for the tournament in South Africa where they played to a 1-1 draw against the hosts before beating local club Platinum Stars 2-0.
Botswana also trained in South Africa and Cameroon but their preparations were disturbed by a pay row which saw the players boycotting training before they were eventually held to a 0-0 draw by Zimbabwe.
Ghana’s star striker Asamoah Gyan has been declared fit for the opener after an initial injury scare but defender Isaac Vorsah will miss the clash due to suspension.
Jerome Ramatlhakwane is also fit for the Zebras but they will be without captain Dipsy Selolwane, who is suspended for this clash, as well as winger Joel Mogorosi who has been ruled out of the tournament with a broken arm.
Group D is arguably the toughest in the competition with Guinea and Mali as the other opponents.
Source:Super Sports
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