Black Stars attacker Emmanuel Gyasi is confident about the Black stars ambition of ending a 30-years wait for a continental title at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon next year.

Ghana has have suffered a series of disappointments since wining their last title in Libya in 1982.

The Black Stars are among 24 nations qualified for next year’s championship which runs between January 9 and February 6, 2022.

The Italian Serie A side Spezia Calcio, striker has his sights firmly set on being part of the squad at the Nations Cup finals in Cameroon next year and helping his country end a 30-years wait for success.

“Ghana are a strong National team, a good mix of interesting young prospects and more experienced players. The manager and his staff are very prepared too,” Gyasi, who plays club football in Serie A for Spezia, told BBC Sport Africa.

“Ghana have played several World Cups and Africa Cups of Nations: our dream and that of our fans is to win the [Afcon] trophy.

“We know it won’t be easy and we will have to think game by game, but we’ll go there to make our dreams come true. We have to believe in ourselves.

“I met Alfred Duncan and Kwadwo Asamoah [the only other Ghana internationals in Serie A] when we played against Cagliari we had a nice chat after the final whistle and they gave me some advice, I want to thank them for this.”

Gyasi was born in Italy to Ghanaian parents. made his international debut on 25 March as the Blacks Stars drew 1-1 with South Africa in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, away in Johannesburg.

“My childhood dream has always been wearing the Ghana National team shirt. I wanted to become a football player and play for Ghana: I never had a doubt about it. In the past I had two idols in our national team: Stephen Appiah and Asamoah Gyan. They were great, I used to love them and watch all of their games,” the 27-year-old explained.

“There had been some speculations about me, but I had never spoken to anyone from the Ghana Football Association before [the call-up].

“Then I was finally called up! Ghana is an important football country in Africa, with thousands of good players. I am very proud of myself.”
“Although I was born in Italy and I feel very comfortable here, my land of origin is Ghana. My bond to Ghana has never vanished or diminished throughout the years.”

Gyasi will be hoping to make the cut for coach CK Akonnor’s squad for next month’s 2022 World Cup qualifying matches against Ethiopia and South Africa.