Desailly urges Ghana caution

Marcel Desailly has warned Ghana Africa Cup of Nations success will not come easy even though he says the Black Stars are favourites for the title alongside Ivory Coast.

The former France captain who has ambitions to coach Ghana one day has been impressed with the consistency of the Black Stars in recent years but says expecting the side to steamroll to Nations Cup glory without a fight would be a mistake.

"We qualified quiet easily for the Africa Cup of Nations showing that Rajevac's departure has not affected our team. Collectively, technically we are very strong. With Ivory Coast we are favourites for the Africa Cup of Nations," he told Radio Gold.

"Let's be effective. There is still a lot of concentration to do and we must be disciplined. Let's see how it goes."

And he is adamant that the absence of Egypt and Cameroon especially does not make the task any less difficult for Ghana.

"It means that if those countries have not qualified others have showed more consistency to be able to win. Ghanaians, me included have to be careful. We have to be very careful in saying for sure that Ghana will win. Mali is a difficult country. Senegal have surprised everybody and Zambia is also potentially capable to do something and after you have all the other names including Ivory Coast who are always very power. Let's be motivated, concentrate and be clinical; find our target and hit it," he added.

The Black Stars are drawn in group D of the tournament alongside Botswana, Mali and Guinea.