Appiah: Time to make history

Johannesburg - Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has told his side that now is the time to "write their names in history" as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Burkina Faso.

According to the Football411.com website, the Black Stars are one of the favourites to lift this year's continental trophy, with Nigeria and Mali contesting Wednesday's other last-four encounter.

And Appiah, who was part of the Ghana team that were crowned champions in the 1982 edition, has called on the current squad to make their own history come the February 10 final.

"What have I said to them? I've told them I was lucky to be one of the players to come back with the title, now they need to write their names in history," he said on Tuesday.

"Then they can say in the future 'I was part of the team that won in South Africa.'"

Switching his focus to their upcoming opponents, Appiah said: "We are both from west Africa and that means our style and mentality is almost the same.

"So, at this level, success will depend on the little things. Looking at games of Burkina Faso, they do well defensively, in midfield they are very, very good, it's not going to be easy.

"They've got some really good players we are automatically going to pay attention to, but I'll keep all that in my head."