AFCON 2015 Qualifier: Group E Sat, 6th Sept 2014
Ghana Vs Uganda – 7 PM (Ugandan Time), 4 PM (Ghana time) at Baba Yara Stadium
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There are exactly 168 months since the Black Stars of Ghana lost a home fixture in any qualifier (AFCON, World cup or CHAN).
George Weah’s brace back in 2000 helped Liberia win 1–3 against Ghana. Since then, Ghana has won all her home fixtures against whichever opposition.
Such is the position that Uganda Cranes, who have only registered 3 away victories in 14 years face ahead of Saturday’s crucial qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi against the home side.
Opening fixtures often come with pressure, a lot to prove, statements of intent and evidently, either teams wish to come top at the end of the day to consolidate grip – a crucial ingredient throughout the campaign.
UGANDA TEAM NEWS:
CECAFA’s best nation, Uganda departed from Entebbe International Airport a week back, with a stop over in Addis Ababa before settling in Niger where the latter lost an international build up fixture 0-2 in a fixture when team skipper, Andrew Mwesigwa was sent off for an early shower.
Uganda conceded the two goals in the opening 20 minutes – thanks to goals from Daudi Kamilou (10th minute) and Issiakou Koudize’s long range 8 minutes later.
The team has been in a training camp for 3 days to acclimatize to the humid West African weather before arriving in Accra on Friday morning, from where they connected straight to Kumasi, where they had a feel of the match day turf.
Head Coach Micho has stressed the loss to Niger in the wake of the crucial qualifier exposed his team’s weak links which need urgent improvement come the Saturday fixture against Ghana.
Uganda will miss two of their lethal forwards in Emmanuel Okwi (injury) and Geofrey Massa (club commitment).
KEY PLAYER: DENNIS ONYANGO
He might not be a regular at his South African based club – Mamelodi Sundowns, but the towering shot stopper has been a loyal servant in between the goal posts for Uganda over the years. Hard to beat especially on one-on-one situations, Onyango also boasts of excellent command.
PROBABLE LINEUP:
Dennis Onyango (G.K), Denis Iguma, Godfrey Walusimbi, Isaac Isinde, Andy Mwesigwa (Captain), Geoffrey ‘Baba’ Kizito, Khalid Aucho, Tony Mawejje, Moses Oloya, Luwagga Kizito and Brian Umony.
GHANA TEAM NEWS:
The Black Stars are proud of their enviable home advantage. Coach Appiah is expected to name a strong starting line up where the traditional 4-4 -2 formation will be maintained.
With Michael Essien, Kevin Prince Boateng and Sulley Mutari all ruled out for different reasons, Ghana still looks a strong team on paper with players who participated at the 2014 FIFA World cup.
Reports from Ghana indicate, the home fans have all agreed to unite in the name of cheering their team after booing the players in the Black Stars’ maiden training in Kumasi.
South African based goalie, Fatau Dauda is expected to man the goal posts despite the fact that like, Onyango, Dauda does not start for the Chippers.
KEY PLAYER: CHRISTIAN ATSU
Pacy tricky wingers are now the contemporary football play makers. Nicknamed the Ghanaian Messi, Atsu dribbles, passes and involves the rest of his teammates in play. Should Uganda effectively manage to put Atsu under check, then Ghana will struggle for long spells of the game.
PROBABLE GHANA LINEUP:
Fatau Dauda, Daniel Opare, Harrison Afful, John Boye, Jonathan Mensah, Agyemang Badu, Rabiu Mohammed, Kwadwo Asamoah, Atsu Christian, Assmoah Gyan (Captain) and Andre Ayew
STATISTICS:
Head to Head Statistics [Played 10, won 2, lost 6, drawn 2]
10/10/62 International Friendly: Ghana 4-1 Uganda
30/9/64 Independence Tournament: Ghana 2-0 Uganda
23/10/64 International: Uganda 0-2 Ghana
18/3/78 AFCON final: Ghana 2-0 Uganda
25/10/00 International: Uganda 2-1 Ghana
07/9/02 Afcon Qualifiers: Uganda 1-0 Ghana
22/6/03 Afcon Qualifiers: Ghana 1-1 Uganda 03/7/04
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Uganda 1-1 Ghana
04/9/05 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Ghana 2-0 Uganda
31/5/09 International: Ghana 2-1 Uganda
Personal Prediction: Ghana 1 – 1 Uganda
What is your Prediction?
