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Ghana brace up for Nigeria

17 years ago
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Inspired by the Black Stars’ 4-1 thrashing of Nigeria this month, Ghana’s Olympic team will look to complete the winning run when they take on their West African rivals Sunday afternoon.

Ghana is much closer to securing the single qualification slot from Zone III for next year’s All-African Games football competition.

But the Olympic side playing at home in the first leg tie would need to overcome Nigeria at the Coronation park in Sunyani first before the second leg clash.

For both sides, a place in the All-African Games would certainly come at the expense of the other as passion, pride and the ability to win would be put to test in the final qualifier.

Ghana coach, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio is braced up for the tough challenge and on the eve of the match took time off after a Saturday morning training session to look at the strength of his opponents.

“Nigeria is still a powerful force in football. They have a strong team that graduated from the U-20.

“We have a tough side to deal with. But we expect the support from playing at home to help us come out victorious,” the Ghana coach said.

However, Cecil Jones Attuquayefio has enough confidence in his team to complete the winning run over the Nigerians.

“We have quite disciplined side. They (players) have responded well. We want to see how they react under pressure.”

However, Jones is hoping his players get over the pressures of the senior sides 4-1 thrashing of Nigeria in an international friendly played this month in London but rather get inspired by that feat.

“We wouldn’t be complacent.

“The 4-1 win by the Black Stars is a motivation for us. Though it has made things quite tough for us.

“We hope to come out victorious,” Jones added.

Ghana is seeking to secure a second successive appearance at the All-African Games after winning bronze in the last competition.

Ghana squad:

Goalkeepers: Eric Nii Baah (Asante Kotoko), Kotei Blankson (Liberty Professionals), Ernest Sowah (Tema Youth FC)

Defenders: Kennedy Korlie (Liberty Professionals), Alfred Arthur (AshantiGold), Bawa Mumuni (Liberty Professionals), Isaac Vorsah (Asante Kotoko), Michael Akuffo (Fetteh Feyenoord), Sampson Cudjoe (Tudu Mighty Jets)

Midfielders: James Boadu (Berekum Arsenal), Obed Ansah (Heart of Lions), Emmanuel Allen (Liberty Professionals), Mohammed Tuaha Khamix (Liberty Professionals), Gilbert Ayikade (Real Tamale United), Bernard Kumordzi (Egaleo FC, Greece), Jonathan Quartey (AshantiGold)

Attackers: Sadat Bukari (Heart of Lions), Emmanuel Clottey (Great Olympics), Samuel Yeboah (Hapoel Kfar Saba, Israel)