Afcon setbacks motivate me - Jonathan Mensah

Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah says his desire to win gold with the Black Stars is motivated by past setbacks at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Anzhi Makhachkala centre-back has witnessed two near misses since winning the 2009 Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.

He was part of the Black Stars set-up that lost the 2010 Afcon final to Egypt in Angola, and was also a member of the team beaten by Cote d'Ivoire on penalties at the 2015 Afcon final held in Equatorial Guinea.

“I look at the photos every day, so that it drives me on,” Mensah told Kwese Sports.

“I keep the silver medals so that I can remind myself that it is not what I want again.

“The photos remind me every day how far I have come, but it also motivates me to go one step better every time.

"My hope is that soon, I can replace a lot of them with photos that speak about the ultimate triumph.”

In January, Mensah, who has played at four Afcons, will likely make the final list with the Black Stars for the continental showpiece to be held in Gabon.

The 26-year-old has made 55 appearances for the national outfit, scoring once.

Avram Grant's side will take on Egypt, Uganda and Mali in Group D in their quest to win the tournament for the first time since 1982.