Black Stars, Pharaohs in tricky affair

Soccer News of Sunday, 13 November 2016

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2016-11-13

2013 StarsBlack Stars

Ghana’s Black Stars have their destiny in their hands as they play the Pharaohs of Egypt in the second group clash of their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the Borg El Arab Stadium in the Egyptian city of Alexandria tomorrow afternoon.

The Stars were held to a goalless draw by Uganda in their first group qualifier at the Tamale Sports Stadium while the Pharaohs collected the three points after a 2-1 away win over Congo Bin Brazzaville, placing the seven-time African champions on top of the group log ahead of the Stars.

The Egyptians are very much aware of the crucial nature of the encounter against Ghana who denied them a place at the last World Cup in Brazil, after Ghana thumped them 7-3 on aggregate in the playoff.

Apart from seeking their first World Cup appearance since their first round exit at the 1990 tournament in Italy, the Pharaohs see tomorrow’s clash as payback time following the humiliation they received at the hands of the Stars three years ago.

It is in this vein that the Egyptians have instituted all the necessary measures, including allowing over 70,000 fans to fill the stadium to create an intimidating atmosphere for the Stars who will miss the services of their captain Asamoah Gyan and midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah due to injuries.

After dropping vital points at home against Uganda, Ghana cannot afford to falter tomorrow, else their hopes for a fourth successive World Cup campaign could become a tall order for Coach Avram Grant and his charges.

Coach Grant is expected to build his team around trusted players such as stand-in skipper Andre Ayew, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Mubarak Wakaso, Jonathan Mensah, John Boye, Baba Rahman, Harrison Afful and their teammates who know how important a good result will be to their Russia 2018 campaign.

Despite playing away, the Stars have promised to rise to the occasion and also fight for victory in honour of former national coach Emmanuel Kwasi Afranie who passed on in a tragic accident last Wednesday.