Accra, Jan 17 (IANS): Ghana's Minister of Youth and Sports Mahama Ayariga is rallying the nation to support the Black Stars to annex the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which kicks off in Equatorial Guinea Saturday.

In a message to the team, Ayariga called on the squad to put the past behind, psyche themselves up for the task ahead and use this tournament to end the trophy drought that Ghana have experienced for the past three decades, reports Xinhua.

"Ghana need to re-establish itself as Africa's football giant and the whole world is looking up to us. Let us renew our determination to succeed this time round since this tournament presents a perfect opportunity for us to do so," he said.

The Minister also took the opportunity to urge the technical and management team of the Black Stars to ensure that the players are well conditioned and prepared physically, mentally and psychologically ahead of the competition.

He requested Ghanaians to pray for the Black Stars as they seek a fifth AFCON trophy.

Ghana will face Senegal, Algeria and South Africa in the group phase. The Black Stars will open its campaign against the Teranga Lions of Senegal on Jan 19.

Ghana last won the cup in the AFCON tournament staged by Libya in 1982.