Ghana Meets South Africa

BAMAKO, -- World Cup qualifiers South Africa will face a Ghana side in disarray while Nigeria attempt to deal a blow to hosts Mali as the African Nations Cup resumes following a two-day rest period here today.

South Africa's Group B tie with Ghana in Segou has all the makings of a win-or-bust tie for both teams, after each side registered goalless draws in their opening matches.

South Africa, held 0-0 by minnows Burkina Faso on Sunday, in theory enter the match as slight favourites as Ghana's 'Black Stars' seek to regroup following the dramatic expulsion of star defender Samuel Kuffour.

African Player of the Year candidate Kuffour was booted out of the Ghana camp after a row with coach Fred Osam-Duodo, who accused the Bayern Munich star of being a disruptive influence.

Osam-Duodo's bold decision to eject Kuffour was followed by a stern warning to other members of the squad, with the coach saying any player challenging his authority would meet the same fate.

"The whole team met for over three hours to discuss the events of the past few days and the coach did not mince words in telling the players to either conform to instructions in camp or go the way of Kuffour," an official close to the team told AFP.

The official continued: "We expected some other players to leave the team in support of Kuffour but so far nobody has done so. Everybody has been doing what is expected of him."

While Osam-Duodo was reading the riot act to his squad, South Africa's coach Carlos Queiroz said he did not feel his job was at risk despite the Bafana Bafana's slow start.

The Portuguese coach's position is believed to have come under severe scrutiny by his employers in South Africa, who are anxious to make sure they have the right man in charge at the World Cup in five months time. But Queiroz is not bothered by the persistent speculation surrounding his position.

"I have never felt pressure from anyone," said Queiroz, whose contract runs until after the World Cup.

"I cannot live day after day worrying about things like that. I just concentrate on the job to be smarter, wiser and better prepared. But the pressure only comes from me. I don't need pressure from outside to perform." South Africa's captain, proven goals scorer Shaun Bartlett, is ruled out of the Ghana encounter.

'Ghana Terminator' Nomvethe leads South Africa attack

SEGOU, Mali, Jan 23 (AFP) -- South Africa's match-winner against Ghana two years ago Siyabonga Nomvethe will again lead his country's attack when the two teams clash in Group B of the African Nations Cup here Thursday.

Team officials told AFP that in the absence of injured Shaun Bartlett the Italy-based forward will partner Benedict McCarthy up front against the troubled Black Stars of Ghana.

The 24-year-old former Kaizer Chiefs star's 42nd-minute headed goal against Ghana in Kumasi in the quarter-final eliminated the home team during the 2000 Nations Cup.

The Udinese player looked sharp and willing when he was introduced as a substitute in the match against Burkina Faso Sunday.

Meanwhile South Africa's coach Carlos Queiroz gave his team a detailed tactical talk on Wednesday for a match that his side is desperate to win.

Injured Bartlett jogged around the pitch and is racing against time to be fit for the team's last group match against Morocco, who stepped up preparations for their tie against Burkina Faso at the weekend.

Twenty-one Morocco players, without the expelled defender Abdeslam Ouaddou, were put through their paces under a baking sun on Wednesday.

Defender Rachid Benmahmoud limped out of limbering-up exercises with a right ankle complaint while France-based Gharib Amzine also took time out to be treated for a nose bleed. Both players returned to complete the session.

Nigeria Plays Today
In Group A on Thursday, Nigeria will seek to guarantee their place in the second phase by overcoming hosts Mali in Bamako.

The Nigerians looked the most impressive of the 16 teams to have played so far when they defeated Algeria 1-0 on Monday, a game they could have won by a wider margin. But the Super Eagles will be wary of the electric atmosphere generated inside the March 26 Stadium by the 55,000 home fans, who inspired Mali to come back from 1-0 to snatch a draw with Liberia on Saturday.

Nigerian coach Shaibu Amodu, who has a full squad to choose from, said he has warned his team of the dangers of complacency.

"When you play the hosts it's always tough. It will feel like the whole world is against us," he said. "But we have a lot of experience in our side and several players who are used to playing in conditions."

Amodu is pondering his selection for the game, with most debate centred around whether Arsenal star Nwankwo Kanu will start the game or be left on the bench. The 16 teams were enjoying the second of two rest days here Wednesday.