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Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew has insisted that Ghana “will be ready” for this evening’s Africa Cup of Nations final, despite having one day less to recover than opponents Ivory Coast.

The Black Stars overcame hosts Equatorial Guinea 3-0 in the semi-finals to progress through, 24 hours after their fellow continental giants eased past Congo DR with a straightforward 3-1 win.

Ivory Coast came out on top 11-10 on penalties when the two sides met in the 1992 final, and although the Elephants remain favourites to prevail once more, Ayew is adamant that his side will do whatever it takes to spring a surprise.

“Both teams have a chance of winning the match, so it will be very important for us to rest and recuperate before the game,” he told FIFA.com.

“We have a day less than Cote d’Ivoire and would have preferred to have more time to prepare, but a final is a final and we will be ready. We will do everything in our power to bring home the trophy. There is no word to describe how much we want to win.

“People are questioning whether we are ready to lift the trophy again after so many years, but if we were not ready, we would not have beaten Equatorial Guinea in the semi-finals. We are ready.”

Congo DR last night edged out Equatorial Guinea on penalties to claim third place in the showpiece tournament.