Qualifying campaign: Ghana easily qualified for the CAN after beating Malawi 2-0 and 1-0 over two legs in the final qualifying round. History: Ghana are one of the most successful African teams, having won four CAN titles in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982. They are three titles behind the tournament's record winners Egypt. The Black Stars, who made 18 CAN appearances, finished the 2010 edition as the runners up after suffering a 1-0 defeat by Egypt in the final. Ghana made two World Cup appearances in 2006 and 2010, reaching the quarter finals in the latter edition to become one of only three African teams to do so. Expectations: Ghana will be among the favourites for the tournament, although they are without Andre and Jordan Ayew and have lost the influence of injury prone John Mensah in defence. The heavy burden of expectation on the team has sunk them repeatedly in the past and it is now more than 30 years since they won the last of their four Nations Cup titles. FIFA ranking: 30 (4 in Africa) Achievements: Winners of four CAN titles in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 Made 18 CAN appearances Made 2 World Cup appearances in 2006 and 2010 Qualified for round of 16 in 2006 World Cup World Cup quarter-finalists in 2010 Coach: James Kwesi Appiah (Ghana) Kwesi Appiah was promoted to the head coach after serving as the assistant to several of his predecessors. He was an international defender in his playing days with Asante Kotoko and then worked in the Ghana Football Association's coaching structure. He had a previous spell as coach after the 2010 World Cup but only on a caretaker basis for six months. Key players: Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus). Age: 24. Pos: Midfielder Signed by Italian champions Juventus from Udinese in June, he was a teenage debutant for the Black Stars. Played at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and is now close to 50 caps for the country. Operates effectively behind the strikers. Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ain). Age: 27. Pos: Forward A missed penalty with the final kick of the game cost Ghana a World Cup semi-final place in 2010. Gyan won widespread sympathy for his trauma but that turned to derision last year when his lack of form at the Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon contributed to Ghana's failure to reach the final. Christian Atsu (FC Porto). Age: 21 Pos: Winger The new hope of Ghana football who has emerged into the side since the last Nations Cup and who is expected to be among the young stars of the tournament. He was first brought into the Porto squad aged 17 by Andre Villas-Boas but this is his first season with regular game time. Full Squad: Goalkeepers: 12- Adam Kwarasey (Stromsgodset, Norway), 16- Fatau Dauda (AshantiGold), 1- Daniel Adjei (Liberty Professionals) Defenders: 4- John Paintsil (Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Israel), 23- Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), 2- Richard Kissi Boateng (Berekum Chelsea), 22- Wakaso Mubarak (Espanyol, Spain), 21- John Boye (Rennes, France), 19- Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France), 15- Isaac Vorsah (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria), 13- Jerry Akaminko (Eskisehirspor, Turkey), 5- Awal Mohammed (Maritzburg United, South Africa). Midfielders: 7- Christian Atsu (FC Porto, Portgal), 6- Anthony Annan (Osasuna, Spain), 9- Derek Boateng (Dnipro Dniepropetrovsk, Ukraine), 8- Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), 20- Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy), 11- Rabiu Mohammed (Evian, France), 14- Solomon Asante (Berekum Chelsea). Forwards: 3- Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), 17- Emmanuel Clottey (Esperance, Tunisia), 18- Boakye Yiadom (Sassuolo, Italy), 10- Albert Adomah (Bristol City, England). (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/62057.aspx
