Asamoah Gyan, Ghana's all-time leading goalscorer, says the team are good to go for the upcoming 2019 Africa Cup of Nations following an intensive training camp in Dubai this month.
The four-time continental champions, who last lifted the title in 1982, have spent the two weeks in the UAE as they look to halt a 37-year wait when the tournament kicks off in Egypt later this week.
Ghana have played two friendlies during their stay, most recently Saturday evening’s 0-0 draw against South Africa at the Dubai Police Officers Club Stadium. A second-half substitute, Gyan struck the upright late on with a header.
Ghana have been drawn in Group F at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) alongside Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau. They begin their latest quest for a fifth crown on June 25 against Benin in Ismailia.
Kayserispor striker Gyan, the team’s general captain, declared the squad were happy with preparations and were subsequently in fine shape for the June 21-July 19 event.
“We are ready,” the former Al Ain frontman told reporters after Saturday’s draw. “We’ve been working so hard in the past 10 days – the weather is also not helping – but we are still fighting. We are pushing harder and harder.
“We have done well. Training has not been easy: we have gone through some drills behind the scenes that the camera didn’t capture, so we know the kind of training we have done.
“The tournament itself is a different ball-game altogether, but we are happy there is no injury in the camp. We will be going to Egypt with all the players ready for the tournament.”
Gyan, 33, has scored 51 goals in 106 appearances for Ghana. Hosts Egypt get the 2019 Afcon under way on Friday, against Zimbabwe in Cairo.
