Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has played down talk that the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will be a straight battle between the continent's established sides.

Sixteen nations will challenge for the Cup won last year by Zambia when hosts South Africa open the campaign this weekend.

Certain teams are entering the competition without the prestige, experience or star names that other sides will be parading but they remain committed to going the full mile and upsetting the odds.

For the Black Stars coach, his Ghana team cannot discount the dangers posed by nations considered as underdogs.

"I have always said any team that has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations is a very good team," Appiah said as he prepares to arrive in South Africa with his team from Abu Dhabi where they've been camping for over a week now.

"So there is no way you can underrate anyone. In modern football, there is nothing good or bad."

Appiah says every team will arrive at the competition with full confidence but insists that Ghana will have to be at their best to withstand any team.

"The most important thing is you prepare yourself very well for any game you play," he added.

The Black Stars open their Nations Cup campaign against DR Congo on Sunday, January 20 in a group that also includes Mali and Niger.