Former Ghana Football Association president Ben Koufie says the Black Stars have not been handed the group of death at the 2012 Nations Cup and reckons with good preparations 'we can beat all of them'.

Ghana have been drawn in Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations, alongside Guinea, Mali and Botswana, in what is generally considered a tough group.

Koufie though insist Ghana is capable of beating all three sides. "We have to be cautious for all the matches. It looks like a reasonably good group. I don't think it is the group of death. I don't. We have to be extra careful match to match. We can beat all of them," he told KickOffGhana.com.

Ghana's opening game against Botswana will have huge significance for Koufie who worked as technical director for the Botswana Football Association between 1992-2001. He says he played a key role in their success by encouraging regular participation in major competitions.

"They have worked hard to reach where they are now. I think they will be a very determined lot. I started the whole thing when I went there. They were not playing international competitions.

"In the past we were known as the whipping boys of Africa losing left, right centre but they carried on with their development. The boys they started with were real Under-17s and school boys and most of them have matured now with some playing in South Africa.

"They play like the English type of football. But they have stamina. They have been in camp for so long and just train because they have very few players from outside.

Botswana were the first to qualify for the competition but Koufie reckons the Nations Cup may prove a bridge too far for them.

"I was not surprised that they qualified in the manner they did because I went there and I saw their preparations. They felt this was their time. But with the Nations Cup they will have to wait a bit. I wish Botswana very well but not to the extent that they beat my team.

Koufie feels after the draw that a Ghana-Ivory Coast final is very much on the cards but says co-hosts Gabon will be formidable opponents.

"It looks like it but don't write off Gabon off especially at home. Consider also that they went very close with Cameroon for a place at the world cup against Cameroon. Playing at home will help them a lot."