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Soccer News of Friday, 27 July 2001

Source: GNA

Osam Duodo assures Ghanaians of a trouble-free match

Caretaker coach of the Black Stars, Fred Osam Duodo said in Accra on Monday that he does not envisage any mayhem in the Ghana-Nigeria final World Cup qualifier in Port Harcourt on Saturday, adding that the two governments are in close touch to ensure a trouble-free match.

He told GNA sports that "every arrangement is being put in place to ensure that the match is devoid of any intimidation in accordance with FIFA's fair play rule".

A win for the Super Eagles on Saturday, would ensure their fourth consecutive World Cup appearance while even a draw will give war-ravaged Liberia an edge over them.

Liberia tops the five-country table with 15 points followed by Nigeria on 13 points, Ghana 11 and Sudan nine, while Sierra Leone are stuck at the bottom on four.

Coach Osam Duodo said, "we will approach the game like any other match and the better team on the day will win".

Asked whether his young predominantly home-based players were not going to be scared by the apparent hostile Nigerian fans, he said, "If the boys were able to overcome a frightening atmosphere in Liberia, I doubt which other fans could intimidate my boys".

He said, he is very optimistic of another victory on Saturday, adding "perhaps I may even cause another radio commentator to weep".

A national radio commentator wept bitterly in Harare, Zimbabwe about a month ago when the Stars beat the Warriors 2-1 to book a place in Mali 2002.