2022 World Cup qualifiers: CK Akonnor expects South Africa to give Black Stars a tough game

Head coach of the Ghana national team, CK Akonnor, is anticipating a difficult game against South Africa.

Ghana will head into their matchday 2 game of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against the Bafana Bafana on Monday at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

The Black Stars defeated Ethiopia 1-0 in their Group G opener at the Cape Coast on Friday while South Africa played out a goalless draw with Zimbabwe.

Midfielder Mubarak Wakaso long-range effort proved the difference in the game. Ghana are now top of the group with three points, two points adrift the Bafana Bafana.

Ahead of the game, the 46-year-old is expecting a tough game.

“They’re a wounded side because they failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. They’ve brought in an experienced coach in the person of Hugo Broos, who knows a lot about African football. The last time he played against Ghana, with Cameroon at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, he beat us 2-0. That should tell us that we’re coming up against a difficult side”, coach Akonnor told FIFA.com.

“His first squad announcement is a huge statement of intent and shows he wants to give an opportunity to a more ambitious and hungrier squad. We are keeping a close eye on all our opponents, but we take it one game at a time. It’s Ethiopia now.

“That’s our first hurdle to overcome. South Africa come next in three days’ time. We’ll be ready to meet them and to slug it out,” he added.

The Black Stars will hold their final training session tonight before the game on Monday.