2022 World Cup qualifiers: Ghana v Ethiopia preview

Ghana will commence their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign by hosting Ethiopia at the Cape Coast Stadium on Friday.

After qualifying for the 2021 AFCON, the Black Stars aim to take their form to the world stage.

CK Akonnor’s charges failed to make it to the 2018 edition in Russia after making three consecutive World Cup appearances.

At 7pm, all eyes in Ghana will watch and pray for a flying start from the team.

Match preview

With COVID-19 still on the loose, Akonnor has some tough decisions to make as Ghana welcomes Ethiopia.

Ethiopia, who have never tasted the World Cup, will also look to break the hearts of the home fans. They are currently ranked 44th in CAF and 150th in the World.

The two teams have locked horns on just three occasions in history with Ghana winning three and losing one.

On November 1963, the two nations met for the first time and Ghana came out on top, clinching a fairly comfortable 2-0 victory.

In November 2018, Ghana faced Ethiopia for the last time away from home and left with a 2-0 win.

Ethiopia have won three of their last five games whilst Ghana have won one in the same number of games.

Team news

CK Akonnor welcomed 32 players to the camp ahead of the upcoming games.

The likes of Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus have been left out due to injury. Kamaldeen Sulemana, Rennes newboy has joined the team.

There are no real problems with the Ethiopian team.

Ghana predicted XI: Richard Ofori, Andy Yiadom, Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Baba Rahman, Wakaso, Majeed Ashimeru, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Samuel Owusu, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew

Ethiopia predicted XI: Shanko, Yesuf, Tamene, Baye, Tonjo, Dagnachew, Tekeste, Bekele, Nasir, Kebede, Amanuel

Prediction

CK Akonnor is expected to field a strong squad for the game which will prove too much for Ethiopia to overcome.

Ghana 3-1 Ethiopia