Ghana - Mozambique: Black Stars seek to extend lead in qualifiers

The Black Stars will hope to consolidate their stranglehold on the top spot in Group H with victory over the Mambas

Ghana will undoubtedly be eyeing three points when they take on Mozambique in the first of the double-header with Mozambique in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday.

The Black Stars hold a three-point lead in Group H ahead of the latest round of games, and victory at the Accra Sports Stadium will almost put the four-time African champions a step closer to reaching their seventh consecutive continental showpiece.

Avram Grant’s men will, however, have to do without injured Andre Ayew and David Accam, while doubts still hang over the fitness of midfielder Mubarak Wakaso.

But there’s still enough quality to cause harm on any day with the availability of skipper Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew and Christian Atsu.

Portland Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey is also available for selection for the first time since the 2014 Fifa World Cup after ending a hiatus from national duty.

Ghana have scored 12 times in their last four outings at home, the last encounter being a hard-fought 2-0 defeat of Comoros in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in November.

“Ghanaians will be expecting a lot from us, and we also have to win for them,” Gyan told reporters ahead of the game.

“It’s a game we must win, so we’re leaving no stone unturned.”

Mozambique, on the other hand, have lost three of their last six games, drawing one and winning two. With six strikes – including a 4-0 thrashing of Seychelles last year - the Mambas have equally gifted six goals in return.

Coach Abel Xavier’s outfit are winless and goalless in their last three games on the road, a statistic that bodes well for the Black Stars. It is, however, worth mentioning that the side’s last match was a slim 1-0 away defeat to Gabon.

With an obvious upset on their minds, the Mambas would be counting on the experience of 32-year-old goalkeeper Soarito, 33-year-old defender Miro and 30-year-old duo Jumisse and Domingues.

But there will be 21-year-old midfielder Gildo as well as striker Clesio, also 21, to provide just enough youthful balance.

Ghana, ranked 41st by Fifa, and Mozambique (100th) have squared off three times at senior level with Ghana picking up two wins and the other ending in a stalemate.

Thursday’s match kicks off at 15:30 GMT.