5 September 2009
Accra — IT will be a joyful night tomorrow when the Black Stars engage the Nile Crocodile of Sudan in a match that might qualify Ghana to its second successive World Cup Final in South Africa, next year.
The Black Stars have been impregnable in the on-going African Cup of Nations/World Cup qualifiers after winning all the three matches and conceding no goal.
Ghana defeated both Mali and Sudan by 2-0 in their home grounds giving the Stars an unassailable lead in the group.
They currently lead Group D of the qualifiers with a maximum of nine points, followed by Mali with four points and Benin, who have three points; with Sudan occupying the bottom of the table with one point.
A visit to the training grounds of the Black Stars during the week revealed that the players were upbeat about the impeding encounter against the Sudanese. Coach Milovan Rajevac, with support from his Deputy, Kwesi Appiah, has been fine tuning the team ahead of Sunday's match.
Strikers Asamoah Gyan and Matthew Amoah are expected to lead the attack for the Stars, while Michael Essien, Laryea Kingston, Sulley Ali Muntari and Anthony Annan are also expected to lubricate the midfield.
John Painstil, Harrison Afful, Eric Addo and Sunderland's John Mensah would provide cover at the back for goal-keeper, Richard Kingston.
There would be other matches across the African continent.
In the other Group D encounter, the Lions of Mali would battle Benin in Cotonou.
Meanwhile, the Ghana police service is announcing the closure of some roads in the capital city, Accra to help facilitate effective traffic control during the match.
According to the Police, the Castle-Osu Cemetery road and the Osu Cemetery-Ministries Traffic Intersection would be closed to vehicular traffic on Sunday from 8:30am till the end of the match.
In connection with this, traffic from AU Circle through the Castle road and towards the Osu Cemetery Traffic Intersection would be diverted onto the 2nd and 3rd Avenue road through the Abdul Nasser road (Ghana Institute of Journalism).
The Police have advised motorists from Osu to use the 28th February road to the Independence Square, while those from the Akuafo Circle should link up with the Liberation road at the National Theatre.
The Police have promised to deal sternly with any motorist who defaults; their car would be towed to safety at the price of GH¢75.00.
The co-operation of all motorists who use these areas would therefore be needed for a successful traffic control exercise.
In Group A, Cameroon, who are on the verge of missing out on next year's World Cup in South Africa would play as guest to surprise group leaders, Azingo Nationale of Gabon.
In the other Group A match, Morocco who are also struggling for qualification would engage Togo in Lome.
In Group B, there would be a fierce battle between current group leaders, Tunisia and Nigeria in Abuja; with Nigeria currently having two points behind the Carthage Eagles.
Striker, John Utaka told the BBC's Africa sports programme, Fast Track that they would overhaul their rivals, Tunisia.
The other game in the group would be between Mozambique and Kenya in Maputo; with a place at the Nations Cup in Angola next year at stake for both countries. Continued
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Source: Daily Guide - Daily Guide
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