Ghana manager James Kwesi Appiah is impressed by the quality of the teams competing in this year's African Nations Cup.
The Black Stars open their Group B campaign in Port Elizabeth on Sunday, tackling another former winner - the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"I believe that this tournament is going to be a very competitive one," said Appiah. "We're going to do our best but saying that there's no way you can underrate any team in this competition.
"We will not underestimate any side and we will do the best that we can."
Appiah has left AC Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari and Marseille winger Andre Ayew out of his side and is hoping striker Asamoah Gyan, who has impressed in this tournament before, can provide the goals which will carry his team to glory.
Their opponents, appearing in the tournament for the first time since 2006, have already hit the headlines with their preparations.
Manager Claude Le Roy was reported to have resigned days before the start of the competition over disagreements with the national federation.
Congolese club TP Mazembe claimed Le Roy had left his position because of the federation's failure to deal with logistical problems and tournament bonuses for players.
However, the president of the country's football federation, Omari Selemani, dismissed the reports.
The issue of disputes over bonus payments in the run-up to this competition is nothing new to Congolese football nor Le Roy.
The former Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana boss was in charge in 2006 when Congo players threatened to boycott a match against Togo.
On the pitch, Lomana LuaLua has the Premier League experience which could unlock defences and earn his team qualification from a group which also includes Mali and outsiders Niger.
