The Black Stars of Ghana are undoubtedly one of the most successful footballing countries in Africa, especially at the Africa Cup of Nations. They've appeared in the Nations cup a record 18 times, reached the final seven times and won the tournament 4 times in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 making them the second most decorated team at the Nations Cup. However, their last success heading into this year's tournament was back in 1982. Ghana will be hoping they can regain their status as the continent's best at the 2013 AFCON. They have in James Kwesi Appiah a coach that has tasted victory at the Nations Cup as he was part of the Ghana squad that was the last to lift the trophy 31 years ago and he will be looking to make history by also winning the trophy as a coach. Players to watch are Asamoah Gyan, Anthony Anan and Kwadwo AsamoahFighting for second are likely to be Mali and Congo DR. Both sides have an abundance of pace and power in their sides. Mali have Premier league duo Modibo Maiga and Samba Diakite, from West ham and QPR respectively, are in their final 23 man squad but an injury to former captain and Fulham midfielder Mahamadou Diarra will be a blow. Despite not playing for over two-years, former Liverpool and Juventus ace Momo Sissoko did make the 23 man cut. Congo will be resting their hopes of success on maverick captain Tresor Mputu, he was once banned for 12 months for physically assaulting a referee, playing for Congo.
Niger qualified for their first finals last year and will be hoping to go one better this time out and make it out of the group stage.
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