Appiah expresses no age preference

Kwesi Appiah has enjoyed a relatively bright start to life as Black Stars coach with his willingness to engage young Ghanaian players giving a pleasant look into the future.

The Ghana coach has vowed to be part of a dynamic change of the senior national side explaining that Ghana needs a large pool of talents to draw quality players from in international football.

Though very passionate about winning every game, Appiah explains that age will be no barrier for any Ghana player as long as he is in charge.

"For sometime now, we've been so dependent on one particular set and as you know many of them are aging, and it's important that we try to build a Black Stars which can be sustained for years," Appiah said.

"That's one of the main reasons why I have been introducing more youngsters into the team."

Providing a youngster has quality and retains hunger, there is no reason why Appiah will leave them out.

"I believe when they [youngsters] also come, they do their best. It gives us more opportunity and more room to see more players and in that sense, when one is sick or injured, you can always get someone to step in."

However, now judgement will be made swiftly as he fashions out his squad for Ghana's Africa Cup of Nations participation.

"I think everyone in the team is fighting for a position because the younger ones who came in are doing well. It doesn't matter if you've been in team for 10 or six years whatever, if a younger guy is doing well, automatically, he may put you off your position."

As he builds a squad of youth and experience, Appiah is well aware of the pressures as Ghana bids for a fifth Africa Cup of Nations title when they arrive in South Africa next year to compete with fifteen other sides.

"We have to prove to ourselves that we are capable of a better performance. Our targets will not be reduced," he said.

"We have to be together, work hard and see where we go."

Ghana were drawn out in Group B with DR Congo, Niger and Mali at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations following last month's draw in Durban.