AFCON 2015: Wakaso gets first start for Black Stars

Midfielder Mubarak Wakaso has been handed a starting role in Coach Avram Grant’s team for the final group stage match against South Africa on Tuesday evening.

Braimah has been retained in post with Harrison Afful, Baba Abdul Rahman, Daniel Amartey and Jonathan Mensah playing in defence for the Black Stars.

Afriyie Acquah will be in midfield for Ghana alongside Andre Ayew, Christian Atsu and Wakaso, who replaces Agyemang Badu.

Captain Asamoah Gyan who scored the only goal of the game against Algeria, will once again partner Jordan Ayew in attack for the Black Stars.

Black Stars Xi:

Razak Braimah, Harrison Afful, Baba Abdul Rahman, Daniel Amartey, Jonathan Mensah, Afriyie Acquah, Mubarak Wakaso, Andre Ayew, Christian Atsu, Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew


MATCH FACTS

1. South Africa are unbeaten in three previous Afcon matches against the Black Stars, winning two and drawing one


2. Ghana have failed to score in each of those three previous games against South Africa (1996, 2000, 2002)



3. Bafana Bafana are looking to make it into the knockout round in consecutive Afcon tournaments for the first time since 2002



4. Ghana last failed to make the knockout round in 2006, finishing no lower than 4th since then



5. Asamoah Gyan has scored in his last six appearances for Ghana



6. The Black Stars have lost just two of their last 13 Afcon group games (W9 D2)



7. South Africa have won just one of their last 14 Afcon games (D7 L6)



8. Bafana Bafana have kept only two clean sheets in those 14 matches