Ghana relish Nations Cup draw

Ghana Football Association President will have no inhibitions if the draw for the 2012 African Nations Cup on Saturday puts the Black Stars in a 'tight group'.

Sixteen countries will know their opponents when the draw is made in Malabo, the capital of co-hosts Equatorial Guinea, at 1800 GMT.

Kwesi Nyantakyi, who is readying for the draw with Ghana one of the top seeds, says, the competition would be interesting despite having lost some steam after Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa all failed to qualify.

"The tournament will see the absence of teams like Cameroon, Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria and that means the competition would miss something, some excitement that these countries bring with their big following. But with every competition, new sides emerge." he told www.ghanafa.org.

The Black Stars, four-time champions and silver medalist at the last competition would be gunning for a fifth title but Nyantakyi does not believe the notable absence of the big guns would play into Ghana's favour.

"Yes, we (Ghana) are one of the big sides but we can't just assume that we would lift the title because some teams are missing. Before you lift the title, you've got to play every team; I mean the best at any given time.

"There are still big sides and every other team has an equal chance of competing for the title."

For Nyantakyi, Senegal and Ivory Coast present the biggest threat to Ghana's quest for a fifth title.

"I think that Senegal and Ivory Coast are the sides who stand out. They have very good players and are good," Nyantakyi said.

Debutants, Equatorial Guinea, and fellow hosts Gabon are among the top seeds in Pot One with Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Pot Two comprises Angola, Guinea, Tunisia and Zambia.

Burkina Faso, Mali, Morocco and Senegal make up the teams in Pot Three.

Pot Four includes Botswana, Libya, Niger and Sudan.

A team from each pot will be placed together, creating four four-team pools that will be based in the Equatorial Guinea cities of Malabo and Bata and the Gabonese cities of Libreville and Franceville.