Ghana star Asamoah Gyan not to play opening Afcon match

Ghana head coach Avrant Grant said his skipper Asamoah Gyan will not be rushed to play the first match against Senegal Monday night in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Gyan, who is Africa's leading scorer at the World Cup, sustained a knock together with two other players during the team's training camp in Spain, reports Xinhua.

"The players are all looking good, but we shall take careful tests to make sure we do not rush Gyan," said Grant Sunday.

The former coach of English Premier League side Chelsea only signed for Ghana last month.

Ghana, who have won the Africa Cup of Nations four times, will start their campaign against favourites Senegal Monday at the Estadio de Mongomo Stadium.

Grant said that he is aware they are in a tough group that has Senegal, South Africa and Algeria and they will have to work hard to make it through.

Ghana who have won the Afcon title in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982 will be looking forward to breaking the jinx.

Egypt who failed to qualify for this year's edition have won a record seven Afcon titles, while Ghana and Cameroon have each won four.

Cote d'Ivoire, Zambia and South Africa, Tunisia, Congo Republic and Algeria have won the coveted trophy once each.