Tuesday, January 31, 2012

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01.02. (Wed) 19:00 Ghana - Guinea


PROBABLE LINEUP
GHANA



Kwarasey
Paintsil, Mensah, Vorsah, Boye
Annan, Badu, Asamoah, Muntari
Gyan, A. Ayew

GUINEA



Yattara
Zayatte, Diallo, Kalabane, Camara
Balde, Feindouno, Diallo, Yattara
Bangoura, I. Traore
Pre-tournament favourites Ghana are yet to concede defeat or any goals in this tournament, hence they are on top of Group D with six points. The Black Stars were given a great deal of competition in their opening group fixture against debutants Botswana, but managed to outpace the Zebras with a narrow 1-0 win.

They added some spark to their second game against fellow west Africans Mali and that 2-0 result gave them some respite at the top, however, a 1-6 victory for Guinea against the Zebras in their second group match puts the Syli National in a good position to progress to the knock out stage should they win this third west African derby in Group D.

It is a tricky situation for all four teams in this group, but Ghana only need a draw to comfortably hold on to their ticket for the quarter-finals. Guinea are on the same points as the Malians, so if they were to both win, Mali would progress due to their 1-0 win over the side in their first Afcon match.

One of Ghana’s key defenders, Isaac Vorsah, has finished serving his suspension and could start against Guinea. Captain John Mensah, who was given a red card in their opening fixture is also available, but may start from the bench due to injury concerns.
DID YOU KNOW?
  • Ghana last met Guinea at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations and the Black Stars won 2-1.
  • Ghana equalled the African record at the 2012 World Cup in South Africa, progressing to the quarter-final stage of the competition to join Cameroon and Senegal in the record books.
  • Ghana are four-time African champions and last won the trophy in 1982.
  • Guinea have been disqualified from the continental showpiece twice for various offences.
  • Between the 2004 and 2008 editions, the Syli National have always finished at the quarter-final stage.
  • The Syli National’s best record in the competition was to finish as runners-up in 1976.
Prediction
Coming into the tournament with a convincing 2-0 win over Mali, the Ghanaians have made a definite statement that they are ready to justify why they deserve the tag as pre-tournament favourites. A bid to keep a clean sheet in the group could spur them on for victory.
Editor's Prediction
Ghana 1-0 Guinea