Accra , Jan 04, GNA - Black Stars defender, Jonathan Mensah says the time for Ghana to win the African Cup of Nations after a 30-year wait is now as the National Team A readies to commence preparation for the biannual competition.
Ghana commence preparation for the three week fiesta in South Africa beginning Saturday and the French-based defender is convinced the Black Stars are ripped to claim the trophy they narrowly lost to Egypt at the last competition in Angola.
‘The time to win the trophy is now. We have a very good team and all we have to do is to prepare very well, have faith, believe in ourselves and play well at the tournament. The time is now.’
Mensah could be called open to start Ghana’s opener against Botswana on January 24, with regular central defender, Isaac Vorsah suspended for a game and the young defender insists he would be ready for the challenge given the opportunity.
‘The coach will be the one to take that decision whether I get selected for the first team. But whatever his decision, I am very ready to embrace the challenge and give it my all.
The defender tasted no action when Ghana picked silver at the last competition in Angola after losing 0-1 to Egypt but insists ‘I learnt useful lesson just by sitting on the bench. I have learnt a lot and still learning but I am very ready for all games.’
Mensah is hopeful a good tournament would be enough, a claim for his inability to breakthrough the first team at club side Evian.
‘The fact that I am not playing regularly at the club doesn’t mean I am not doing well. However, if I have a good tournament, it could help me break into the first team and I am ready for the challenge.’
Ghana tipped among the tournament favourites for the continental gathering billed for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea is pitted alongside Mali, Botswana and Guinea in Group D.
The Black Stars depart Accra on Saturday fine-tune preparation in a 14-day camping in South Africa.
Accra , Jan 04, GNA - Black Stars defender, Jonathan Mensah says the time for Ghana to win the African Cup of Nations after a 30-year wait is now as the National Team A readies to commence preparation for the biannual competition.
Ghana commence preparation for the three week fiesta in South Africa beginning Saturday and the French-based defender is convinced the Black Stars are ripped to claim the trophy they narrowly lost to Egypt at the last competition in Angola.
‘The time to win the trophy is now. We have a very good team and all we have to do is to prepare very well, have faith, believe in ourselves and play well at the tournament. The time is now.’
Mensah could be called open to start Ghana’s opener against Botswana on January 24, with regular central defender, Isaac Vorsah suspended for a game and the young defender insists he would be ready for the challenge given the opportunity.
‘The coach will be the one to take that decision whether I get selected for the first team. But whatever his decision, I am very ready to embrace the challenge and give it my all.
The defender tasted no action when Ghana picked silver at the last competition in Angola after losing 0-1 to Egypt but insists ‘I learnt useful lesson just by sitting on the bench. I have learnt a lot and still learning but I am very ready for all games.’
Mensah is hopeful a good tournament would be enough, a claim for his inability to breakthrough the first team at club side Evian.
‘The fact that I am not playing regularly at the club doesn’t mean I am not doing well. However, if I have a good tournament, it could help me break into the first team and I am ready for the challenge.’
Ghana tipped among the tournament favourites for the continental gathering billed for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea is pitted alongside Mali, Botswana and Guinea in Group D.
The Black Stars depart Accra on Saturday fine-tune preparation in a 14-day camping in South Africa.
