Ghanaian youth international, Nouhoum Moutawakilou, has declared that the Black Stars of Ghana will be the team to beat at the forthcoming African Cup of Nations in Angola, with or without injured Chelsea of England midfielder, Michael Essien.

Moutawakilou who was part of the FIFA U-20 World Cup winning squad in Egypt earlier this year said the Black Stars were too blessed with a glut of stars to depend on one player at such important tournament.

"I am proud of the Ghanaian team for qualifying for the World Cup and I must let you know that we play as a team and don't depend on one player. If our adversaries are rejoicing over Essien's injury then they will be in for a rude shock when the time comes," he said.

Although he admitted that the team's captain, Stephen Appiah, is also sidelined by injury currently, he would be back soon.

He told Sports Vanguard that for continuity, the national team coach had started reinforcing the team with younger players.

"The coach introduced six members of the Egypt 2009 squad into the Black Stars team that played the last World Cup qualifier against Mali and that was good for the team," said the youthful player.

He named Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroun as the biggest threats to Ghana's ambition in Angola, remarking that, "it's going to be tough because everybody wants to win ahead of the World Cup in South Africa."

The Liberty Professionals playmaker also disclosed that various offers have been coming from Europe but he would not comment further as his manager was in the best position to speak on that.