Ghana launch campaign against Benin in Ismailia

Ghana and Benin will compete in the second match as Group F action kicks off in Ismailia on Tuesday evening. Benin will be facing one of the tournament favourites and despite the absence of the sensational Stéphane Sessegnon, the Squirrels are eager to kick off their campaign.

The two teams have shared a victory each in their last five meetings with the remaining three ending up in draws.

Michel Dussuyer, Benin Coach

We are excited to start. Ghana is a strong team that aims to reach the final like many other teams here. All the best teams in the continent are present in Egypt. We know the match will be difficult but we will do our best.

James Kwesi Appiah, Ghana coach

In modern football, there are no small teams. I believe in my players who are totally focused. And we do not start a competition by saying that we will lose. But for me it's one of the best teams we have. Sometimes it's just a question of how we manage the opportunities we have had.

André Ayew, Ghana captain

Since 2008, we have always been in the semifinals. It means that we are strong; it means that we are constant and mentally we are present.

We lost two finals in 2010 and 2015 in which I participated. But it is football. I think we have a very good generation. It has been at least ten years since Ghana produced very good players. We have taken over for a while.

We trust in ourselves and know where we are going. We will play against a quality Benin team. We will respect them in the field and we will do everything to start in the best way.