Ghana international Ben Acheampong has issued a rallying call to the home-based side at the African Nations Championship to progress beyond the group stage and go far in the tournament.

Acheampong, who is now with Angola's Petro Atletico de Luanda, took time off his team's pre-season in Johannesburg to visit the team at their Bloemfontein base.

The former Asante Kotoko and Wa All Stars player presented them with US$2000 and says his gesture is to motivate his colleagues to go all out in the tournament.

"Once the team is here and I am also a Ghanaian, I need to do something to encourage my colleagues," Acheampong told www.ghanafa.org after his presentation.

Ghana are joint-top in Group C with and Libya, on four points apiece while Congo remain third and a point behind in the tournament exclusive to players based in their home countries.

Acheampong believes Maxwell Konadu's side need to be at their best when they meet Ethiopia in the decisive match on Tuesday.

"Motivation is very important in football and at this stage we need to progress from the group stage. I thought about coming here to motivate my colleagues so I asked permission from my club and it was granted.

"It's nice seeing all of them and I have been very impressed with their composure and togetherness," he said.

"I haven't had enough time to watch the games but I am confident they will go all out in this competition."

Meanwhile, Ghanaian player John Arwuah of Bloemfontein Celtic, last week presented some drinks to the team.