<<Print>>

Ghana�s axed midfielder Sulley Muntari believes the Black Stars will win next month�s African Cup of Nations despite being left out of the squad. Serbian manager Milovan Rajevac last week excluded the Inter Milan ace in his 23-man squad for the tournament in Angola. Muntari is reported to have been axed by the coach over alleged disciplinary problems while playing and camping with the Black Stars. Even though he has been replaced by younger players in the squad, Muntari insists Ghana will lift the trophy for the fifth time in its history. �I am sure we will win the African Cup of Nations next month because we have a very good team which is capable of doing the job,� Muntari told Ghanasoccernet exclusively. �There are other tough countries like Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Egypt Nigeria and some others who have shown promise in recent times. �But the confidence my Black Stars colleagues have and with the prayers and support of Ghanaians we will win the tournament. �Ghanaians have been waiting for the fifth Nations Cup title and I know this is the time we will make good our promise to them.� While revealing that the current squad is capable of winning the title, Muntari admits that he will miss being part of the tournament. �I am a Ghanaian therefore not being part of this tournament is giving me sleepless nights. I am already desperately missing being part of the team. �I know this is going to get worse when the tournament starts because I will be sad as I am not part of the squad to serve my country. �But it is the coach who has taken the decision � I believe for good reasons, therefore I will work hard to return to the squad. �The players who have been chosen are very capable of doing the job, so I will support them with my prayers for success.� The Inter Milan played down the prospect of gaining a late call-up insisting the attention must be on the players playing in the tournament. �Ghana has chosen the players for the tournament. I will not be drawn into whether someone should be dropped for me to play in the tournament,� Muntari said. �All the 23 players have my support and I pray nothing happens for anyone to be changed. I know they will do it and I wish them good luck. �I am a Ghanaian and anytime I am called to serve my country I will but I don�t pray for any misfortune to hit any player and by extension my country.� The calling up of six players from the Black Satellites to the senior national team has generated by heated debate but Muntari says the youngsters will excel. �Some of the players from the U20 side are already members of the Black Stars and for the new ones their experience in winning the World Cup will help us,� he said. �So there is not question about their capabilities. Ghanaians should give the team the backing and they will bring the trophy.�Ghana are in Group B of the African Cup of Nations where they face Ivory Coast, Togo and Burkina Faso.