Ghana AFCON 2021: Black Stars hoping to improve performance after exiting at R16 in 2019

Black Stars of Ghana will be hoping to improve their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) performance after exiting at Round of 16 stage in 2019 in Egypt.

Ghana eliminated by Tunisia on penalties, failing to reach the last four for the first time since 2006.

Black Stars have come close to winning their 5th AFCON title in 1992, 2010 and 2015 when they ended the tournament as losing finalists.

The four-time African champions will be aiming to end the 40 year wait for the Africa Cup of Nations trophy having last won the Tournament in Libya in 1982.

Coach Milovan Rajevac has named his 30-man provisional squad for the tournament in Cameroon.

He has handed call ups to four debutants namely, Khlaid Abdul Mumin of Vitoria de Guimaraes and Salis Abdul Samed from French Ligue 1 side Clermont Foot. Others are Maxwell Abbey Quaye from Accra Great Olympics and David Abagna of Real Tamale United.

Also in the squad is Arsenal stalwart Thomas Teye Patey who missed last month’s World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa due to injury. The midfielder has since returned to full fitness and featured regularly for Arsenal in the Premier League.

Belgium based winger Joseph Painstil has also been handed a call by the Serbian ahead of the tournament in Cameroon.

The Black Stars will begin camping on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 in Doha, Qatar for a 17-day training camp in preparation for the Cup of Nations which kicks off on Sunday, January, 09, 2022.

The Black Stars will play three friendly matches while in Qatar.