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Ghana midfielder Ibrahim Ayew says he ready to cope with the huge expectations from local fans as he makes his Nations Cup debut in Angola. The Zamalek midfielder impressed coach Milovan Rajevac during the team's pre-tournament training in Nelspruit and he is highly-tipped for a starting role as a make-shift left-back. The 22-year-old understands he must double up efforts as the tournament begins on Sunday. "There will be a lot of expectations. Yes, but for me am very cool with it. I'm just going to be myself and do what I have to do and let's hope for the best,'' Rahim said. ''There will be a lot of pressure but you just have to be yourself and be confident and be focus. You have to listen to what people will say behind you and move on. I think that is what will keep you going at a major tournament like this.'' Rahim and his brother Dede,sons of African football legend, Abedi Pele, will be playing in a competition for the first time. "Most people think we are in the team because of our Dad but we worked hard for our places. We are not worried at all and we know we have to justify our places by performing." Ghana's Group B opener is against Togo on 11 January before playing Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.