Bell warns Ghana to expect tough test against Cameroon

Former Cameroon international Joseph-Antoine Bell has warned the Black Stars to prepare for a physical challenge against the Indomitable Lions in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals on Thursday.

The two teams will lock horns at the Stade de Franceville in Gabon, a repeat of the 2008 edition where Ghana were stunned 1-0 as hosts.

“The game might be very physical with a lot of contact and the Black Stars have to be prepared for it," Bell told Graphic Sports.

“We saw against DR Congo that they could not possess the ball and fight because surprisingly, the Leopards took the ball from them and Ghana kept running and chasing the ball.

“It means they can't face Cameroon, who have the same physical and massive players,” he added.

The 62-year-old, who won the 1984 and 1988 Afcon titles, believes the Black Stars have the men to dominate possession but noted that they must utilise their chances or suffer the consequences.

“When Cameroon play Ghana, I’m not sure they’ll dominate possession because people saw them as a good side when they didn’t have the ball and tried to stop Senegal, the stronger side, to achieve a surprising result.

“Ghana will win the ball surely and maybe if they don’t make the difference with the ball they may suffer for it. We’re going to have two balanced teams, but you can’t say who is going to win because although Ghana qualified, we are yet to see a very brilliant Black Stars side so far in the competitions.”

Ghana have qualified to the semi-finals for the sixth consecutive time and are hoping to win their first title since 1982.