The Black Stars have the best record of any national team at the Nations Cup. They have won it four times (twice as hosts) and they were runners-up on three occasions.

But their performance at the last tournament, Burkina Faso '98, is one that most Ghanaian fans would prefer to forget. They lost to smaller neighboursTogo, who were considered minnows. Ghana's subsequent defeat at the hands of the Democratic Republic of Congo confirmed their first round exit.

It all proved too much for veteran captain and three-times African Footballer of the Year, Abedi Pele, who immediately announced his retirement from international football.

It was left to new coach, Italian Guiseppe Dossena, to pick up the pieces.

He has managed to turn the team around, and his efforts have earned him the nickname The Messiah.

Dossena's well-made preparations should ensure that the Black Stars are not humiliated this time round.

Ghana squad
		Coach: Guiseppe Dossena, Italy
		Richard Kingston	Goztepespor, Turkey
		Eben Dugbatey	Charleroi, Belgium
		Emmanuel Kuffuor	Hearts of Oak
		Samuel Osei Kuffuor	Bayern Munich, Germany
		Stephen Baidoo	Ankaragucu, Turkey
		Mohammad Gargo	Udinese, Italy
		Yaw Preko	Fenerbahce, Turkey
		Mark Edusi	Uniao Leiria, Portugal
		Kwame Ayew	Sporting Lisbon, Portugal
		Charles Akunnor	Wolfsburg, Germany
		Augustine Ahinful	Boavista, Portugal
		Constant Mantey	Kotoko
		Jacob Nettey	Hearts of Oak
		Christian Gyan	Feyenoord, Holland
		Sam Johnson	Fenerbahce, Turkey
		Stephen Appiah	Udinese, Italy
		Peter Ofori Quaye	Olympiakos, Greece
		Ohene Kennedy	Ankaragucu, Turkey
		Daniel Addo	Karlsruhe, Germany
		Otto Addo	Borussia Dortmund, Germany
		Alex Nyarko	Lens, France
		Sammy Adjei	Hearts of Oak