Accra, Nov. 12, GNA – All roads lead to the Cape Coast Sports Stadium come Sunday when Ghana’s Black Stars battle the Bafana Bafana of South Africa for a place in the final round of the African qualifiers for the 2022 Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup.
The ‘mathematics’ has come into play with Ghana needing a win to progress while South Africa would have to avoid defeat to secure the top spot and edge the Black Stars.
The Bafana Bafana after their 1-0 win against Zimbabwe kept Ghana’s qualification more alive despite the Black Stars dropping points against the Walias of Ethiopia in the penultimate group qualifying match which was played at the Orlando Stadium in South Africa.
South Africa during their last visit to Ghana suffered a 2-0 defeat in the qualifiers for the 2022 African Cup of Nations and the Black Stars remain firm favourites to win the clash come Sunday.
The Bafana Bafana of South Africa would still remember their painful 2-0 loss to Ghana at the FNB Stadium in the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup and could perhaps be determined to avenge that loss.
But the Black Stars have not lost a competitive fixture at home since 2008 when Cameroon beat them in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The other group fixture would see Ethiopia take on Zimbabwe in Harare as the host targets their first win in the group.
Match Quotes
Head coach of Bafana Bafana seems optimistic about getting a positive result in Ghana as he intends to upset the odds by beating Ghana.
Hugo Broos said this in the post-match presser: “I think we would make the biggest mistake if on Sunday we were going to defend — then you will definitely concede goals. One goal is nothing, but the second goal maybe can follow, and then it becomes very tricky.
“So, we have to, in some periods of the game, inflict pain on Ghana too. If you are just defending you lose the game and then hope that you don’t lose the game with too many goals. But we will not do that.”
For Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac their mental approach towards the crucial encounter is to get a win and nothing less.
“Definitely everything would be decided on Sunday. This is what we expected before so the last match would be like a final match, a deciding match to take us to the next round,” Rajevac said after the 1-1 draw with Ethiopia.
Teams News
Ghana would be without some key players for the crucial encounters with the likes of Thomas Partey, Benjamin Tetteh and Jonathan Mensah all ruled out of the match.
The Black Stars were certainly exposed at the back line with some defensive blunders but Strasbourg defender Alexander Djiku is expected to be back in the starting line up having missed out in the previous match due to accumulated yellow cards.
South Africa on the other hand have been boosted with the return of Percy Tau who was crucial in the victory against Zimbabwe despite missing last month’s qualifier against Ethiopia.
The Bafana talisman is back in the team having missed last month’s clashes against Ethiopia and he will look to inspire his nation to a win.
Bafana Bafana would be without the services of Yusuf Maart who withdrew from the squad due to injury concerns.
Head-to-head
A total of 15 matches has been played between these two African heavyweights with South Africa having five wins compared to Ghana’s four wins and six draws.
Ghana’s probable starting line-up: Jojo Wollacot (GK), Andy Yiadom, Baba Rahman, Alexander Djiku, Daniel Amartey, Idrrisu Baba, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew, Fatawu Issahaku, Kamaldeen Sulemana.
South Africa’s probable starting line-up: Ronwen Williams, Nyiko Mobbie, Siyanda Xulu, Rushine De Reuck,Terrence Mashego,Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Teboho Mokoena, Thibang Phete, Bongokhule Hlongwane, Evidence Makgopa, Percy Tau
Kick Off Time: 19:00 GMT
GNA