A 30-man contingent comprising players and officials of the senior national football team, the Black Stars, leaves Accra this afternoon for Bamako, Mali to participate in the 23rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The three-week celebration begins on January 19, with 16 nations competing for the biggest prize in African football.

Led by GFA Chairman Mr Ben Koufie, the Ghanaian contingent also includes FA member and three-time African Football of the year, Abedi Pele.

Among the squad to defend the Ghanaian flag at the tournament are goalkeepers James Nanor, Sammy Adjei and Abukari Kankani.

It also includes John Mensah, Hamza Mohammed, Kofi Amponsah, Princeton Owusu-Ansah, Amankwaa Mireku, George Blay, John Paintsil and Samuel Osei Kuffour.

The rest are Razak Ibrahim, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour, Michael Essien, Emmanuel Duah Prince Amoako, Matthew Amoah, Isaac Boakye, Ishmael Addo,Baffour Gyan, Derek Boateng and Alex Tachie-Mensah.

Ghana, the four-time champions of Africa will play in the Malian town of Mopti in the same group as Morocco, Burkina Faso and South Africa.