AFCON Qualifiers: South Africa vs Ghana, All to fight for as Bafana Bafana face Black Stars

A lot will be at stake when two African football giants, South Africa and Ghana square-off in a crucial 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

It’s currently a three horse race in the Group C with Sudan joining the aforementioned two countries as likely teams to qualify to the tournament in Cameroon next year.

Sudan gave themselves a chance on Wednesday following their away win against lowly Sao Tome. They now move to 9 points, level with both Ghana and South Africa though they’ve played a game more.

The latest development puts pressure on the two sides who play later today at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.

For South Africa this game is more of an all or nothing affair since they will face a much difficult away test against Sudan in the final round of games.

The focus however will have to be on getting all points against Ghana for Coach Molefi Ntseki’s side.

The South African gaffer has most of his big boys like Percy Tau, Themba Zwane, Thulani Serero, Dean Furman, available in camp unlike Ghana Coach Charles Akonnor who has been denied the services of captain Andre Ayew, his younger brother Jordan, Arsenal’s Thomas Partey and number one Goalie Richard Ofori.

This certainly serves as a handicap for Ghana against a near full strength South Africa side.

A win for South Africa will see them move top of the group with 12 points ahead of the final round of games. Anything but a win certainly will cast serious doubt on the chances of the Bafana Bafana making the showpiece in Cameroon.

The game kicks off at 4pm GMT and will be live on GTV Sports+.

TEAM NEWS

South Africa Coach Mulefi Ntseki has ringed in a couple of changes from his initial 25 man squad announced. He has roped in five players to the national team as a result of some players having issues with travelling to South Africa due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The likes of Lebohang Maboe, Thabiso Kutumela, Thabo Nodada, Mothobi Mvala and Vincent Pule were offered late callups to the setup.

Kermit Erasmus and Bradley Grobler miss out through injury.

South Africa Predicted XI (4-3-3): Itumeleng Khune (GK); Thulani Hlatshwayo, Thapelo Morena, Mosa Lebusa, Innocent Maela; Bongani Zungu, Vincent Pule, Sipho Mbule; Percy Tau, Lebo Maboe, Thabiso Kutumela

England-based trio Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew and Thomas Partey will be unable to face South Africa.

This means there are likely to be new faces filling the positions left available due to the absences.

Kwame Opoku who is on the verge of joining USM Alger from Kotoko is expected to be handed a first start for the Black Stars.

Ghana Predicted XI (4-3-3): Razak Abalora (GK); Benson Anang, Abdul Ismail Ganiyu, Nicholas Opoku, Baba Rahman; Mubarak Wakaso, Afriyie Acquah, Iddrisu Baba; Emmanuel Gyasi, Caleb Ekuban, Kwame Opoku

RECENT FORM & HEAD TO HEAD

Last 5 matches:
South Africa: WWLDW
Ghana: LWWLW

This will be the 14th meeting between Ghana and South Africa and the head-to-head record is even.

Both sides have four wins apiece, while five previous games ended with a share of the spoils.

The most recent meeting saw Ghana emerge 2nil winners with goals coming from Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus.

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Source: footballmadeinghana.com