Partey reveals how Ghana can come victorious at the AFCON

Ghana international Thomas Partey has said that the Black Stars need more than just expertise in order to end their long wait for the African Cup of Nations. The West African nation have failed to win the competition in the past 37 years but they are hopeful of breaking the rut when Africa’s best collide in Egypt this summer.

Speaking to reporters, Partey, who is currently with Atletico Madrid at the club, said that the team require skills, luck and unity, if they are to make a strong case to win the continental competition, he said: “To win a tournament like AFCON sometimes quality alone is not enough. We have to be able to sacrifice and go the extra mile and with that and a little bit of luck, I am sure we will emerge victorious. Unity and working for each other will be vital because we have got the quality of players already so we all have to on the same page. This will be my second major tournament with the team so it's hard to tell what has been wrong in the past but we need to be united.”

Ghana have been pitted against Benin, Guinea Bissau and Cameroon for the group stage of the tournament and they have to produce their best to reach the knockout phase. Prior to that, they have received a blow with the surprise retirement of Asamoah Gyan after he was stripped from the captaincy.

Gyan has been Ghana’s most potent striker with 51 goals during his international career and his absence could hamper their prospects of winning the title. Aside from Ghana, the likes of Ivory Coast, Senegal, Morocco and hosts Egypt are among the other fancied sides to make a strong case of securing the AFCON crown this summer. Egypt start off the competition against Zimbabwe on June 22.