Ghana, who are currently 29th in the world according to FIFA, will play at the 2012 AFCON under the management of Serbian coach Goran Stevanovic. John Mensah is the team’s appointed captain. The Black Stars operate under the control of the Ghana Football Association.
Bring back the glorious days
It’s scintillating like gold and old, but it is now experiencing revival. This is what Ghana’s AFCON history looks like. At their very first attempt in the Nations Cup, which dates from 1963, the Black Stars clinched glory. The acclaimed leadership of coach Charles Kumi Gyamfi helped the team defend their title in 1965.
Ghana, having qualified as holders, avoided the qualifying tournament. In the group phase, they demolished Congo-Kinshasa 5-2; Osei Kofi, Ben Acheampong and Jones all hit the net to destroy the value of Kalala’s brace. The rampant Black Stars punished Cote d’Ivoire 4-1 in their next match to reach the final where they defeated Tunisia 3-2 after extra time.
But misfortune tarnished the Ghanaians’ 1968 and 1970 African Cup of Nations adventures. In Ethiopia, the Black Stars met Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville and Congo-Kinshasa again. They went unbeaten in the group phase and met the Ivoirians in the semis. Thanks to Wilberforce Mfum, Ibrahim Sunday and Odoi,
Ghana won the 7-goal thriller after extra-time. However, Congo-Kinshasa had the sweetest of revenge against the then champions. Kalala’s second half strike downed Ghana to the second position in the competition.
The Black Stars came back stronger. They poured their fury on Niger in the two-legged qualifier which took place in September 1969. The tie ended 15-1 on aggregate to the Ghanaians. At the 1970 African Cup of Nations, they faced Congo-Kinshasa for yet another time.
The Black Stars beat the Congolese 2-0 en route to the semis where they defeated Cote d’Ivoire in Khartoum. Unfortunately for the West African side’s supporters, host country Sudan condemned Ghana to a 1-0 loss in the final.
The light of Ghana’s Black Stars went hidden for almost a decade as the nation failed to reach the 1972, 1974 and 1976 AFCON tournaments. In 1978, they made a sensational return on the big stage.
Making full use of their home advantage, Ghana beat Zambia, Upper Volta, Tunisia and Uganda on their way to the title. They also met the Super Eagles against whom they drew in the group 
stages.
Nigeria’s soil brought no luck to the Black Stars who couldn’t go past Round 1 at the 1980 African Cup of Nations. Two years later, however, the Ghanaians claimed Africa’s crown at the expense of runners-up Libya. This triumph, in fact, was the Black Stars’ last AFCON title success up to date.
Ghana at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations
The last 30 years have been very eventful for Ghana. Reaching the quarterfinals in 2000 and 2002, clinching bronze in 2008 and finishing second in 1992 and 2010 are things that have largely contributed in increasing the Black Stars’ desire for glory.
The current generation of players, made of young blood, certainly has what it takes to send Ghana back on the winners’ podium. However, complacency and confusion among the board, the coaching staff and the players are two things that the team will need to drive away throughout their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Ghana's 2012 AFCON squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Adjei, Adam Kwarasey, Ernest Sowah
Defenders: Lee Addy, Masawudu Alhassan, John Boye, Samuel Inkoom, John Paintsil, John Mensah, Jonathan Mensah, Daniel Opare, Isaac Vorsah
Midfielders: Mohammed Abu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Anthony Annan, Andre Ayew, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Derek Boateng, Sulley Muntari, Charles Takyi
Forwards: Jordan Ayew, Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe
Read next team profile - Guinea.
