By Ameenu Shardow
Follow on Twitter @alooameenu
Asamoah Gyan believes Ghana will surprise many once more again by surpassing expectations at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Black Stars go into this month’s tournament with lowered expectations amongst the passionate Ghanaian fans following their struggles during the qualifiers.
The team is still seen to be suffering the after-effects of their shameful early exit from the 2014 World Cup.
Also drawn in a tough group, the Black Stars are considered to be really up against it in their bid to win their first African title since 1982.
But captain Asamoah Gyan says he has a good feeling about the capability of the current crop to surprise – just like they did five years ago in Angola.
“I think so [achieving beyond expectations at 2015 AFCON] we have done it before – we did it in Angola [in 2010],” he told GHANAsoccernet.com.
“I remember that time [at 2010 AFCON] 80 or 85 percent of the players were from the U20 level which there was no hope.
“But we were able to get to the final – we came very close and lost in the final.
“This time also there are a lot of young players in the team.
“We know what happened at the World Cup – a lot of issues here and there and we played the [African Cup] qualifiers in one of the difficult moments but we were able to go through.
“Going to a tournament is like going there to prove a point – to prove people wrong.
“And I think all the players have got that in mind.
“It is not going to be easy but we will make sure we go there and do the right thing and then qualify from the group stage and then think about maybe winning the cup or something.
“But first of all we have to think about the group because we are not in an easy group.”
The Black Stars will travel to Spain for camping on Sunday before moving to their base in Mongomo ahead of their opening Group C match against Senegal on January 19.
Ghana will also be facing Algeria and South Africa in their subsequently Group C games.