I believe in the Black Stars - Sulley Muntari

Black Stars midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari says he believes the team is in pole position to win the AFCON 2013 tournament.

The AC Millan player who missed Kwasi Appiah's 23 man squad largely due to recent injuries, however, cautioned the team against complacency.

Read the full statement posted on Sulley Muntari's website:

All Ghanaian football fans will be hoping that this will finally be our year, none more so than myself. I’m sorry that I can’t be there in person to support my friends, my team mates and my country but I will be following them every step of the way.

The team will have to be at their best because we know that winning the African Cup of Nations is not an easy task. Of course we’ve won it before, and we can win it again in South Africa – of that I am sure. We are among the favourites and we have quality players in our squad who are capable of winning as a team. The game against Egypt last week was a great confidence booster, with the team’s ability to score goals and defend strongly both on display. Asamoah Gyan has been playing well and scoring goals and I think he will play a key role in the tournament.

However, there will be plenty of challenges to overcome and our group is very tough with the likes of Mali, Niger and DR Congo. No game is easy when you play at a tournament with the best players on the continent, but it’s important that we get off to a good start against DR Congo next week. With God’s will, hard work, dedication and focus we have every chance of coming out top.

I wish the national team luck and will be praying that they can bring the trophy home.

Peace

Sulley