IF Ghana go one better in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, they will win it.
That’s because last time out, they fell to an excruciating 9-8 penalty shoot-out defeat to Ivory Coast in the final.
Football has really caught the public imagination and the national side is looking to go one better than runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations last time out.
Who are Ghana’s best players?
Andre Ayew, winger/striker, West Ham
Ayew has suffered from injuries since leaving Swansea for West Ham but is a real threat up front.
The 27-year-old has 12 goals and 71 caps.
He spent most of his career in France, with Marseille, where he became known for his energy and fine finishing in Ligue 1. Sulley Muntari, centre-midfield, Ittihad FC (Saudi Arabia)
Portsmouth fans will remember Muntari for his season on the south coast in 2007-08.
He was renowned for boundless energy, as well as the ability to score stunning, long-range goals.
His skills did not go unnoticed however, and he joined Italian giants Inter Milan for around £12million.
Jeff Schlupp, wing-back/winger, Leicester City
Leicester full back Jeff Schlupp has a Premier League winner’s medal and is famed for his foraging runs down the left flank.
Although he has struggled to pin down a first-team spot this season with the Foxes, he is very much seen as part of their future plans.
Claudio Ranieri dismissed interest from West Brom, among others, for the speedster in the summer.
Which Ghanaians play in the Premier League?
Jeff Schlupp, wing-back/winger – Leicester City
Daniel Amartey, defence/centre-midfield, Leicester City
Andre Ayew, winger/striker, West Ham
How did Ghana qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations?
Ghana topped their qualifying group with 14 points, seven more than second-placed Mozambique.
Along the way they beat Mauritius 7-1 with Aston Villa ace Jordan Ayew netting twice.
Ghana are definitely the team to beat in Group D. Apart from Uganda, they will take on Egypt, making their return to the contest after missing three finals, and Mali.
Who is the manager of Ghana?
None other than Avram Grant, the former Chelsea, Portsmouth and West Ham boss.
He has great history of being the bridesmaid and never the bride having been a runner-up with Chelsea in the Premier League, Champions League and League Cup.
He also an FA Cup final with Portsmouth. But he won the Israali championship four times, twice each with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa.
What is Ghana's history in the ACN?
A very impressive record has seen Ghana win the trophy four times in 1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982.
They have also been runners-up five times in 1968, 1970, 1992, 2010 and 2015.
Last time out they had the heartbreak of a 9-8 penalty shoot-out loss to Ivory Coast following a 0-0 draw after extra time.
In 2010 the Black Stars became only the third African country to reach the quarter-final stage of the World Cup after Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.
What are Ghana's odds in the ACN?
Ghana's odds of going one better and winning it this time are 8-1 according to Sun Bets.
The Black Stars look like they can make it all the way to the final again, despite the rigours of a tough group.
Avram Grant has a recent habit of finishing second but he's pretty good at motivating his teams to be there or thereabouts and expect it to be no different this time. Source: The Sun