18 November 2014 11:28
Ghana’s Black Stars face the risk of missing out on the 2015 Orange Africa Cup of Nations gathering in Equatorial Guinea unless the former champions can post a win or pull a point over the Hawks of Togo in a make or break meeting in Tamale on Wednesday.
Although the Black Stars lead Group E on eight points, Ghana will be first to admit that the open nature of the group makes no room for a slip as Guinea, Uganda and Togo all have equal chances of booking qualification at the expense of another.
After slipping to a lone goal loss to Uganda in Kampala last Saturday, the four-time winners has her work cut out going into Wednesday’s match in the northern city of Tamale, their new found home following a recent love-hate relationship with fans of the national team.
Stand-in-coach, Maxwell Konadu without a doubt is alive with the challenge that confronts him; a true reflection of why he has hinted at ringing changes to the team that lost to the Cranes of Uganda at the weekend.
The purported decision to throw in TP Mazembe winger, Solomon Asante into the starting line-up to replace Christian Atsu whose spark has dimed in recent matches could mean Konadu is willing to go for broke against a Togolese side that will go attacking.
While it is believed Parma midfielder, Afriyie Acquah could be benched for Udinese’s Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, it should be the return of Jordan Ayew who missed the previous match to suspension that excites the Ghanaian bench.
When the Black Stars defeated Togo 3-2 in Lome last mount, the junior of the Ayews was credited with an improved performance, particularly because of his involvement with the goals the team scored.
In the absence of captain, Asamoah Gyan, who sat out the last match due to injury, Konadu will be expected to fall on Ayew to partner Abdul Majeed Waris up-front in hope of a win.
Despite suggestions that Gyan could risk playing through injury in his bid to see the team topple Togo and qualify, the work rate of Ayew and Waris will excite Konadu.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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