Four times winners of the continent’s most priced football competition will be seeking a convincing result to ensure progression to 2017 Africa cup of nations when they welcome Mozambique.The match will take place at the Accra sports stadium on Thursday 24th March 2016.
The Black Stars began their campaign with a 7-1 thrashing of Mauritius in June last year before needing a late goal from Mubarak Wakaso to secure maximum points against Rwanda to move to the summit of Group H.
Mozambique following defeats at the hands of Mauritius and Rwanda sit bottom without a point.
Ghana are clear favorites to dispatch Os Mambas, but must brace themselves for perhaps a surprise.
Knowing very well how important a win is to the chances of the Black Stars reaching the 31st edition of the Africa cup of nations, Avram Grant has warned the team to eschew complacency and play above themselves.
“We have a very important Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique in a two-legged qualifier."
“They are a very good team, so we want to be at our best. And then we look to the next Africa Cup of Nations. We haven’t finished the job yet! I believe when you come to a team, and you see progress, progress and progress, the results will come." Grant said
Avram Grant will make do without Captain Andre Ayew and Major league soccer based striker David Accam who are both injured.
Frank Acheampong has been in sensational form for Belgium club Anderlecht this term and is likely to replace Ayew in the starting lineup, however he must fend off stiff competition from Ghana premier league duo of Samuel Tetteh and Evans Mensah who received a late call to replace David Accam.
Avram Grant has the luxury of choosing between two goalkeepers - Adam Kwarasey and Razak Braimah who are enjoying stellar campaigns with their respective teams to man the post for Black Stars.
Fortunately for Grant, Mubarak Wakaso who is recovering from a thigh injury looked sharp in training and may be available for the game.
Meanwhile the Black Stars all-time leading top scorer - Asamoah Gyan - with 48 goals and 95 appearances hopes of taking his goal haul to 50, using the Mamba's as fodder may be in jeopardy as the Ghanaian Captain limped off training on Wednesday ahead of their 2017 AFCON qualifier after suffering a thigh injury and will have to pass a late fitness test to feature in the game.
Mozambique are looking to revive whatever hope is left of their bid to play in next year's AFCON, but with having lost all four previous encounters against Ghana their objective looks highly unachievable.
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