Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan is determined to seize another chance for Africa Cup of Nations glory by defeating Cameroon in Thursday’s semi-final.
The Black Stars have reached this stage in each of the last six tournaments but have not lifted the trophy since 1982 and were beaten by Ivory Coast in the final of 2015.
Avram Grant’s side, who beat DR Congo 2-1 in the last round, have looked one of the most convincing in Gabon but they have a poor record against Cameroon in the competition, having failed to win any of their three previous encounters.
But Gyan, who hopes to be available following a groin problem, is confident that they can find a way past a team who upset favourites Senegal in the quarter-finals on penalties.
“The team is motivated and what we want is a win against Cameroon, who have been playing as a unit,” he said, as quoted by SuperSport.
“We all know many people thought Senegal would beat them but they proved a hard nut to crack.
“It doesn’t really matter how we play as long as we get that win, because we feel it’s time we make our fans happy by going all the way in the tournament. That’s our main focus.”
Fabrice Ondoa saved a penalty from Liverpool’s Sadio Mane to see Cameroon into the last four at Senegal’s expense and continue their unlikely push for the trophy.
Head coach Hugo Broos is already proud of his young side but says they proved with their quarter-final display that they will be no pushovers against a fancied Ghana side.
“It looks a very difficult game,” he said. “When you look at the Ghanaians, who have been in the semi-finals for the last six tournaments, it means that they’re a team constantly on with their job.
“It’s a very young team. Fourteen of my players have never played at the tournament.
“But when I look at them, I’m very happy with their level of progress. Our motivation is very big. We saw that against Senegal.”
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