African football expert predicts early Ghana exit at 2012 AFCON

African football expert Mamadou Gaye is adamant Ghana will make a first round exit from the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Ivorian in dismissing talks of the Black Stars being one of the favourites to win the tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea tipped Mali and Guinea to make it out of Group D - leaving Ghana and Botswana in the process.

While his co-panelists; Idah Peterside and Kalusha Bwalya on SuperSports weekly football talk show ‘Soccer Africa’ recognized Ghana as a favourite based on the record in the last two editions and the impressive display at the 2010 World Cup, Gaye was staunch in his submission that the Black Stars were going nowhere.

“Look, the 2012 Nations Cup will not be based on past record and pedigree,” he said.

“That was in 2010, this is now 2012 and I tell you, Mali and Guinea will qualify from this group.”

Gaye enforced his cynicism with the uncertain medical condition of striker Asamoah Gyan, though the Al Ain hitman has made tremendous progress in his recovery.

“They (Ghana) are even sending an injured player to the tournament, how can you progress with an injured player in a tournament?”