Ghana out to maim Mauritius

The Black Stars are making a return to the Accra Sports Stadium as they begin their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Mauritius on Sunday.

In all angles, this looks like a mismatch due to the huge gap in terms of history and pedigree between the two sides.

Ghana, having finished second at the 2015 Afcon in Equatorial Guinea a few months ago, even cemented their status as one of the big football nations on the continent.

Avram Grant should be pleased with the good seasons a few of his players had. The likes Jordan Ayew, Asamoah Gyan, Baba Abdul Rahman, Jeffery Schlupp and Albert Adomah have been active and top performers in their respective leagues.

But Crystal Palace’s Kwesi Appiah is out of the match after picking an injury at training, while new Swansea City signing Andre Ayew will also sit out due to a minor knock.

Newcomer Bernard Mensah, who is based in Portugal, is one of the players people will be looking out for after a good season with Vitoria Guimaraes. The 20-year-old has already given himself a favourable welcome after netting the only goal against Togo in a friendly match last Monday.

Mauritius coach Alain Happe admits his side are inferior to the Black Stars.

“The question of their quality does not arise. Ghana are a big team, being runners-up to the Africa title. We must not forget that Ghana have a significant African presence, with constant results. We have before us players who play in Europe - with Gyan, Ayew and others,” he told Joy FM.

“Ghana are the favourites in Group H. They will be strong at home. Maybe they'll give us a superiority complex. It's true that the game will not be easy but that does not mean I think we have no chance. In a match, anything can happen. First and foremost, we want to offer the best possible opposition,” Happe added.

Led by former coach Didier Six, the Islanders suffered a miserable campaign at the recently ended Cosafa Cup in South Africa.

With Mauritius sitting out of the Afcon tournament since their only qualification in 1974, it is likely their dreams will be extended again as they prepare to face Mozambique and Rwanda as well.