Ghana and SC Austria Lustenau forward Raphael Dwamena has tipped the Black Stars to top Group D and go on to win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. 21-year-old Raphael Dwamena was excluded from the final 23-man Ghana squad after having been included in the initial preliminary squad by Avram Grant. Despite not making it for the tournament, Dwamena is confident his colleagues can beat favourites Egypt to top their group and win the ultimate. Ghana are pitted in one of the toughest groups in Gabon alongside arch-rivals Egypt, Uganda Cranes and Les Aigles, Mali. À group Dwamena thinks is the toughest.
“I think our group is the toughest. Great countries with good players. All our opponents are tough! But Ghana has a great team and I believe we can go for the cup. We are going to win the Cup!” Dwamena enthused.
All pressure was on the Ghanaians when they faced Egypt in the second round of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. Following their goalless draw against the Cranes in Tamale, Grant’s men fell short at Borg El-Arab, losing 2-0 and allowing the Pharaohs having a comfortable five-point cushion with four matches remaining. The former Red Bull Salzburg player praised Egypt for the result but was adamant that a new page will be opened in Gabon. “Egypt deserved the win that day because I think they played better than Ghana. But that does not mean they can beat us again. We are coming back stronger,” Dwamena concluded.