Goran Stevanovic admits that the Black Stars would be under pressure to lift their first African Nations Cup since 1982.

It's been 30 years Ghana won the continental title but came so close in the last two editions of the competition when they won bronze in 2008 and picked silver, two years afterwards.

Ahead of the finals in Gabon-Equatorial Guinea, Stevanovic is relishing the pressure of delivering the trophy as he keeps on reminding his players of the need to end the long drought.

"Ghana's reputation means we are one of the tournament heavyweights and we accept the task because we know that playing in the final is the least everyone expects from us," Stevanovic said.

"I always want to be among the favourites and I know have put additional pressure on the team by telling them time and again that Ghana ought to win the Cup of Nations for the first time in 30 years."

Ghana, who have won four titles, are in Group D alongside Botswana, Mali and Guinea.

And despite the tournament missing some of Africa's top teams who failed to qualify, Stevanovic, who prides himself working for Ghana knows that the passion would still be there.

"It such an honour to work here because the passion for football in Africa is far greater than in Europe," he said.

"Daily routines will almost come to a standstill a week before the tournament and football will be the only topic, the team bus was barely able to get through the crowd after our home qualifiers for the Cup of Nations."