The Black Stars last won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1982 and are determined to repeat that feat more than 30 years later.

In the past two tournaments the team has emerged as finalists and semifinal losers, respectively.

In its favour is a crop of players from two great generations, one that first came to prominence at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and the other that became 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Champions and was led by André Ayew.

The amalgamation of these two teams gives Ghana a potent side that has champion potential.

Coach Kwesi Appiah will be hard pressed to keep his array of stars happy given the limited places on the team and the wide choice of talent he has at his disposal.

But the flagrant absence of Ayew in the Ghana squad, after he missed the roll call at their final training camp in Abu dhabi - as a result of a doctor's appointment for a hamstring injury - could be felt.

Ayew had hoped to emulate his father Abedi 'Pelé' Ayew, who was a cup winner in 1982

But if Appiah can manage personalities behind the scenes, Ghana is one of the favourites to lift the cup in South Africa●