If Goran Stevanovic’s team are to annex the African Nations Cup title for a record fifth time, team bonding is one of the key elements that must be sustained, says John Mensah. Mensah, captain of the Black Stars believes the squad needs to reproduce the spirit of Angola, where they won silver and go one step better in their 2012 campaign. Two years ago, the team short of many regular starters, defied the odds to reach the final, showing great team spirit. And before the 25-man squad leaves Accra on Friday for their base in Rustenburg, South Africa to begin camping ahead of the Nations Cup finals in Gabon-Equatorial Guinea on January 21, Mensah reechoing the importance of team spirit as one of the major contributors that can help them seal a fifth title success. "We have the team spirit. There is love and unity amongst the team and that is great for a group going into such a competition," Mensah told www.ghanafa.org. "We do everything together, work for each other. There's respect for every player. No one is overlooked. It's one thing that I like about the group. And we show respect to our technical team and work hand-in-hand with them." "Every time we get to camp, we are a big family whether you are playing or not. We share jokes and help each other. This brings unity and it helps us train hard to meet our targets to achieve something great for our nation." "The strong bond feels us with motivation to fight not as individuals but as a team." With so much at stake, the Ghana captain is certain the team can tap into their past campaigns to fuel them in the competition ahead. "The pride of representing the nation gives us enough motivation to give something back to the country. And with the prayers and support of the entire nation, God willing, we can do it," he said. Ghana's first 2012 African Nations Cup game in Group D will be against newcomers, Botswana on Tuesday January 24. The side will follow up their opener with fixtures against West African rivals, Mali four days later and Guinea on February 1. Both games will be played at the same venue. The three-week event will start on January 21 and end on February 12, 2012.