Milovan Rajevac is bracing himself for a crucial first home game for Ghana when the Black Stars play at the Sekondi Sports Stadium on Saturday in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Ghana host Lesotho, who are pointless in Group 5 with victory over the Basothos expected to keep the four-time African Champions in the hunt for a place in the next qualifying round.
But the 54 year-old Serbian is not getting carried away and he has urged his players not to underrate their opponents because of their placing on the group table.
“They must be very serious because this is a crucial game. This game is deciding whether we are going to the next qualifying round or not so they (players) are all aware of.
“They all know how important the game is so there will be no problem preparing their minds,” Rajevac said to www.ghanafa.org as he continued preparations for the game.
The Sekondi Sports Stadium with a capacity of 20,000 is expected to be filled with home fans expectant of a resounding victory.
However, the Black Stars coach expects the opposition to battle against Ghana.
“Football is a very strange that is why it is an interesting game. Brazil lose at home, Real Madrid and other big teams lose at home.
“Recently Arsenal lost at home to Hull City. No one expected it but that is the nature of the game.
“That is why we must not underestimate them. We know they have no point and have nothing to lose. We must take them serious because no one will give you victory as a gift,” the Black Stars coach warned.
Milovan Rajevac hopes that his side would play to instructions and avoid any slip ups in this particular game. He also wants his team to be hungry for success.
“We must play tactically and we should not make some mistakes like before.
“The players must give maximum performance and fully concentrate. You must not underestimate any opposition especially in such significant games we will ask for the player to give more than 100 per cent.”
Ghana needs all the three points to go through as group winners or one of the eight best runners up. Libya and Gabon are the other teams in the running with the Libyans three points clear and Gabon ahead of the Black Stars on goal difference.
The Libyans will go through if they get one point from their meeting in Libreville on Saturday.