There is a great at stake in this crucial qualifier. Ghana need a win to better their chances of qualifying for the 2012 Africa Nations Cup. Coach Goran Stevanovic needs all points or at worst a draw in his debut home game. Scudetto winner Kevin-Prince Boateng is playing on home soil for the first time since he switched allegiance to become a Ghanaian, prior to the 2010 World Cup. Also, the Congo game is an opportunity for Chelsea ace Michael Essien to win back the hearts of the local fans after an 17-month hiatus.
The four-time African champions thumped the Diables Rouges [Red Devils] 3-0 in the first leg. The Black Stars have jelled extremely well without certain key players over the past two or so years and parading almost all their integral stars this time puts a great deal more pressure on their shoulders to maul the Congolese.
They have recorded a clean sheet under the Serbian in their last three outings outside Ghana. Plavi started off with a convincing 4-1 win over Togo in a friendly, thrashed Congo 3-0 away in the Nations Cup qualifiers and provided an entertaining, but fiercely fought 1-1 friendly with England at Wembley Stadium.
Over the past few months, the west Africans have set high standards for themselves as the best in Africa if the Fifa rankings are anything to go by. These heights came as a result of commitment and dedication from most of the young players who filled the void created by some of the senior players, who stepped aside as a result of injuries and other personal problems.They are now back in the team and the fans will not take a loss or draw as an excuse. It is a do or die affair for the home side since Kumasi has promised a teeming welcome for the World Cup quarter-finalists. Ghana top Group I with seven points and a goal advantage.
Breaking a spell that has lasted a decade
The 1972 Nations Cup champions seem to be losing their motivation to return to the continental flagship in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. It has been an emotional roller coaster journey for them since the tournament was instituted. They have been in the dark over the past 10 years after playing in the 2000 edition and taking an early shower in the first round.
A win against the Black Stars is their safest bet to keep their campaign on track. However, they will be eliminated if the second in the group, Sudan defeat Swaziland and they lose to the west Africans. They find themselves in a rather tricky position at the moment and judging from their inexperience, it will take a mini-miracle to beat their opponents.
Congo have only won a game in three matches during this qualifying campaign. They lost their opening fixture against Sudan, won their second at home against Swaziland and lost to Ghana. They are in dire need of victory, and stealing the show as well as returning with all spoils from the fortress of a better Ghana side will be one of the greatest achievements of their football history, if they are able to pull it off.
TEAM NEWS
Ghana
The team arrived safely in Kumasi after training for three days in the capital, Accra. Olympique Marseille hero Andre Ayew was the last to arrive in camp due to theft of his passport in France. Morale is said to be very high, with only right-back Samuel Inkoom who has been ruled out as a result of a tear in his thigh.
Probable starting IX:
Richard Kingson; John Paintsil, Addy, Isaac Vorsah, John Mensah; Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah, Kevin-Prince Boateng; Dominic Adiyiah, Prince Tagoe
Congo
Squad
Goalkeepers: Barel Mouko (Lille, France), Chancel Massa (AC Leopards)
Defenders: Bruce Abdoulaye (Clermont, D2 France), Papou Makita (Al-Ahly Tripoli, Libya), Francis Nganga (FC Tours, France), Igor Nganga (FC Schaffhausen, Switzerland), Christopher Samba (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Midfielders: Boukama Kaya (AC Leopards), Rolf Guie Mien (Paderborn, Germany), David Louhoungou (Boulogne, France), Mfountou Madila (Coton Sport Garoua, Cameroon), Delvin Ndinga (Auxerre, France), Burnel Okana (Stal Alchevsk, Ukraine), Prince Oniangue (FC Tours, France)
Attackers: Franchel Ibara (Vita Club, DR Congo), Ulrich Kapolongo (Al-Shabab, Jordan), Matt Moussilou (Lausanne Sport, Switzerland), Fabrice Ondama (Wydad Casablanca, Morocco), Francky Sembolo (Holstein Kiel, Germany), Nkolo Loris (Diables Noirs)
PREDICTION
The Ghanaians are the better side, and are likely to dominate each department of the game. On paper they have already won the match, but the Congolese need to close down their frontmen to minimize any humiliating defeat.
Ghana 4-1 Congo
