General Captain of the Black Stars Asamoah Gyan believes the debutants in Ghana squad will play a key role at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana has not won the AFCON trophy since 1982 but the Kayserispor forward insists the current crop is well placed to end the drought.

Samuel Owusu, Kwabena Owusu, Caleb Ekuban, Joseph Aidoo and Kasim Nuhu are the five debutants in Kwesi Appiah’s final 23 man squad for the tournament.

“It is an all-around team and these new boys are hungry and ready to make the nation proud. They showed some good skills against South Africa and that is good for the team. We will support them with our experience and we will see what happens” Gyan told reporters.

“The tournament will not be easy and it is longer than before. We will have to play about seven games and it will not be easy. In addition, it will be hot in Egypt in terms of the weather.

“But we will make sure we push harder. We are about to end our training camp and we will be ready for Egypt. The fans should keep praying for us and hopefully, we will get there and do what we do best.”

The four-time winners have been drawn in Group F alongside defending champions Cameroon, Guinea Bissau and Benin.

Ghana will kickstart their campaign against Benin on June 25, four days before facing the Indomitable Lions.

The Black Stars last Group game will be against Guinea-Bissau on July 2.