[ 2015-01-19 ]

AFCON 2015: Ghana - Senegal Preview
Solomon Asante has urged Ghana to "do the basics
right" as they start their campaign to end years
of Africa Cup of Nations heartache versus Senegal
on Monday.

Ghana have won the Afcon on four occasions but
have not tasted success in Africa's premier
international tournament since beating Libya on
penalties in the 1982 final.

Since that moment of glory Ghana, one of just
three African nations to reach the last eight of a
World Cup along with Senegal and Cameroon, have
lost two finals and been beaten four times in the
last four.

Their path to a potential final in 2015 looks to
be a tricky one after Ghana were drawn in Group C
alongside three of Africa's other traditional
powers in Algeria, South Africa and Senegal.

Their preparations have been hampered after
Asamoah Gyan was diagnosed with malaria, but TP
Mazembe winger Asante does not believe Ghana need
to do much to take the next step from contenders
to champions.

He told Ghanasoccernet.com: "Our team is one with
both experience and technique. We have had
disappointment in this competition for some time
now, and we feel if we do the basic things right
we can go all the way.

"The first step is thinking and focusing on our
game against Senegal; that will shape our campaign
here in Equatorial Guinea."

Ghana may be third favourites to lift the trophy
in Equatorial Guinea, however, Senegal figure to
provide a stern test of their credentials in the
capital Mongomo.

And Alain Giresse's side, which possesses plenty
of attacking prowess in the likes of Papiss Cisse,
Mame Biram Diouf and Moussa Sow, could be boosted
by the return to fitness of Southampton's Sadio
Mane.

Giresse selected the forward despite him picking
up a calf injury that was expected to keep Mane on
the sidelines for several weeks.

However, reports have indicated that Mane has been
training normally, although Giresse is eager to
play it safe with an attacker who has excelled in
the Premier League this campaign.

"The only question now is to know which match he
will be able to play," Giresse is quoted as saying
by Wiwsport. "Will it be the first, second or
third?

"I say that if he will not be able to play the
first match, it will be the second if not the
third. Hopefully it will be the second. We'll see
the progress he will make."

Regardless of whether Mane is able to play Senegal
have the firepower to trouble a Ghana team that
can ill-afford an early slip-up in their search to
end a 33-year wait for a fifth AFCON crown.

Source - Goal.com

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