As Sudan play host to Ghana on Saturday, they know too well that a win will, at least, revive hopes of featuring at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola... 18 Jun 2009 09:35:10

Ghana Are Almost There

The temperatures in Sudan can be sizzling hot and sometimes unbearable. Added to this scorching heat in Omdurman, the Black Stars of Ghana will be up against a team who are often fired up by their passionate fans.

A fortnight ago, the Black Stars beat hosts Mali 2-0 to further consolidate their leadership of this group that also includes Benin.

Ghana set up training camp in Kenya ahead of this clash very much aware that victory in Sudan would inch them closer to their second World Cup finals appearance.

The Ghanaians concluded their five-day training stint in Kenya by beating a local premier side club, Oserian FC, 3-0. Of course, the score line will not flatter the squad for they know too well that Saturday will be the defining moment for their fans to start popping the champagne or delay the victory party for a little longer.

Skipper John Mensah has already declared they will be going for broke in Sudan.

Sudan Out To Prove A Point

Sudan have one point from two matches and they will go into this match knowing that another defeat after the loss in Benin two weeks ago will be a big blow to their World Cup dream, let alone a chance to place among the top three teams in the group for a ticket to the Nations Cup in Angola.

The Desert Hawks are a hard nut to crack at home. The unforgiving hot temperatures at their backyard suits them very well. That must have explained why Ghana chose to train in Naivasha area in Kenya, which is a relatively hotter area but still not as hot as what obtains in Sudan.

The Sudanese are a bit unlucky that they will be facing a side on a good run. The pressure will therefore be on them to get a result and that way remain in contention in this qualifying series.

TEAM NEWS

Ghana

Black Stars will miss the services of their dependable skipper Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Asamoah Gyan, Laryea Kingston and left-back John Pantsil, who is suspended. Samuel Yeboah though has been called up to boost the strike force.

Their midfield kingpin, Michael Essien, told the media in Kenya that they are going to Sudan to fight for the three points while not underrating their opponents.

The Squad:

Richard Kingson, George Owu, John Mensah, Eric Addo, Isaac Vorsah, Micheal Essien, Mousa Narry, Samuel Kyere, Samuel Inkoom, Bernard Kumordji, Ernest Papa Arko, Prince Tagoe, Kodjo Asamoah, Mathew Amoah, Opoku Agyeman, Junior Manuel Agogo, Haminu Dramani, Joe-tex Frimpong, Anthony Annan

Sudan

Most of the Desert Hawks either star for local rivals Al Hilal or El Merreikh. This is a plus for them because they have been playing together for a long time and they know each other very well.

The team is anchored on the leadership of Omer Bakheit in the defence and in the attack, the Ghanaians should be wary of Mudathir El Tahir.

The Squad:

Bahaeldin Abdallah, Mahjoub El Moez, Mohamed Ali Khider, Ahmed Al Basha, Musa Al Tayeb, Amir Damar, Alaeldin Ahmed Gibril, Khalid Hassan, Yousef Alaeldin, Omer Bakheit, Badreldin El Doud, Saifeldin Ali Idris, Hassan Isaac Korongo, Rashard Justin Lado, Mugahid Mohamed, Haitham Mostafa, Mohamed Tahir, Abdelhamid Amari, Faisal Agab, Alaeldin Babiker, Haitham Tambal.

PREDICTION

Ghana are on a great run and even in the absence of several key stars, the Black Stars look good to record yet another victory and virtually seal their qualification to next year's World Cup in South Africa.

Sudan 0 Ghana 2