Kumasi support will ensure victory - Afriyie

The committee chief believes total support in the Ashanti regional capital could prove decisive in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier.

The chairman of the Black Stars management committee, George Afriyie, says the team is counting on the unflinching support of Kumasi fans to dispatch Comoros in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

Ghana will host Les Coelecantes in the return encounter at the Baba Yara Stadium after both sides settled for a goalless stalemate in the first leg in Moroni on Friday.

“We know Kumasi is noted for their loyalty and support for the Black Stars,” Afriyie told reporters.

“I believe and have no doubt that they will continue to support the team.

“When it comes to the World Cup, we have always looked to Kumasi for the success story and I believe that they will continue to support us to cement victory.”

Tuesday’s game would mark the Black Stars’ return to Kumasi, having been away since an almost public boycott of the side’s 1-1 draw with Uganda in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in September 2014.

Having seemingly held the nation to ransom by forgoing training sessions in protest over unpaid appearance fees before Ghana’s must-win encounter with Portugal at the 2015 World Cup, the Stars’ return to the country was met with abject apathy and indifference by the public who felt betrayed by the team’s behaviour.

However, Asamoah Gyan and co are expected to receive massive support in Kumasi on Tuesday as the nation looks to move beyond the Brazilian debacle.