Accra, Nov. 11, GNA – The African qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup has reached its climax as teams battle out for a place in the next stage and Ghana will continue their quest for qualification as they face the Walias of Ethiopia in the penultimate group qualifying match.
The all-important clash with Ethiopia scheduled for the Orlando Sports Stadium, Johanesburg on Thursday, November 11, 2021, would see the Black Stars take a giant step towards qualification as they close out Group G against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa later this Sunday.
With Ethiopia and Zimbabwe out of contention, Ghana and South Africa would battle out for the solitary spot in the next round of qualifier with Bafana Bafana topping the group with 10 points followed by Black Stars on nine points.
The Black Stars would need to secure a positive result against the Walias to keep them in contention for qualification with Bafana Bafana set to take on neighbours Zimbabwe at the FNB Stadium on Thursday at 19:00 GMT.
The Black Stars after their 1-0 defeat to South Africa back in September responded very well in subsequent matches as they beat Zimbabwe home and away to keep their qualification chances on track.
Perhaps the showdown at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium against South Africa could probably be the decider as to who grabs the spot to progress to the next round with Ghana looking the strong favourite after Bafana Bafana succumbed to a 2-0 defeat during their last visit in the 2022 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
However, Black Stars coach Milovan Rajevac who initially announced a 28-man squad has downsized the squad to 24 considering the injury situation with some top players set to miss out.
Team News
The Black Stars have been dealt a huge blow with the absence of Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey who is currently battling a groin injury having missed out on their recent clash against Watford in the English Premier League.
AS Roma Youngster Felix Afena-Gyan who recently received his first call up to the senior national would be unable to honour the call up while veteran defender Jonathan Mensah has been ruled out of the clash due to injury.
Bordeaux defender Gideon Mensah has also been ruled out due to issue and has been replaced by Isreal based defender Montari Kamaheni.
Updated Squad for Black Stars:
Goalkeepers: Joseph Wollacott (Swindon Town), Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St.Gallen), Manaf Nurudeen (Eupen), Richard Attah (Hearts of Oak)
Defenders: Andy Yiadom (Reading FC), Philemon Baffour (Dreams FC), Baba Abdul Rahman (Reading FC), Montari Kamaheni (Ashdod), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Ismail Abdul Ganiyu (Asante Kotoko)
Midfielders: Baba Idrissu (Real Mallorca), Mubarak Wakaso (Shenzhen F.C), Edmund Addo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Daniel Kofi Kyere (FC St. Pauli)
Wingers: Andre Ayew (Al Sadd), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Dreams FC), Kamal Deen Sulemana (Rennes), Samuel Owusu (Al Fayha)
Strikers: Richmond Boakye-Yiadom (Beitar Jerusalem), Caleb Ekuban (Genoa).
Kick Off Time: 13:00 GMT
GNA