Akonnor tips Ghana for Afcon 2017 glory

Former Ghana captain Charles 'CK' Akonnor is confident about Ghana's chances of winning the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Gabon.

The Black Stars are on the search for their first title since 1982, having since made the grand finale on three occasions.

Ghana lost to Cote d'Ivoire on penalties in 1992, a scenario which was repeated at the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea, with a defeat to Egypt at Angola 2010 in between.

"I'm very, very confident that this time around we're going to win the Nations Cup and have no doubt that the boys will fight hard to annex the trophy,'' Akonnor told Silver FM.

"We need to be ready in terms of massive preparation for the tournament.

"There are a lot of things we need to do before we can attain this ultimate goal.

"I think the boys are ready - physically and mentally – and are eager to make it in the tournament next month.

"I hope we all saw it in the last edition as we came close to winning it and so I'm still confident that we shall make it this time around."

At Gabon 2017, which is scheduled to run between January 14 and February 5, Ghana will play in Group D alongside Egypt, Uganda and Mali.

The Black Stars have made the semi-final at the last five events.

Ghana's four Afcon triumphs came in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982.

Akonnor was a member of the Black Stars at the 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000 championships.