By James Robert Kayindi
The ‘Black Stars’ are determined more than ever before to beat Uganda Cranes in the bid to win back the hearts of their fans who were not only disappointed by the team’s poor performance at the recently concluded 2014 FIFA world cup but also furious about the indiscipline in the team.
This comes after events that saw Kwesi Appiah’s side receive a dismal reception upon arrival in Kumasi from Accra on Tuesday. “We have to make sure we win to make everybody happy in the country. I think everyone knows the task ahead of each other and we are planning to get the result,” said Appiah.
On record and in terms of player quality and abilities, Ghana are by far better than their Ugandan opponents as we head into their weekend tie in the 2015 AFCON qualifier Group E opener in Kumasi on Saturday. Despite that fact, Ghana’s captain Asamoah Gyan knows it won’t be any easy job ahead of them to crack down the Cranes when the two sides clash at the Baba Yara Stadium.
“It is not going to be easy, we are facing a top side, Uganda is a topside despite we being ahead of them statistically,” Gyan told the local media. “But we’ll make sure we approach the game with winning on our mind. We have to make sure we don’t do anything apart from winning.”
MATCH FACTS:
FIFA RANKINGS
Ghana: 36
Uganda: 81
HEAD TO HEAD
PLAYED: 10
WON: 2 (Uganda)
LOST: 6
DRAWN: 2
CRANES SQUAD
Goal keepers: Dennis Onyango, Robert Odongkara
Defenders: Denis Guma, Godfrey Walusimbi, Savio Kabugo, Richard Kassagga, Isaac Isinde, Andy Mwesigwa (captain)
Midfielders: Geoffrey Kizito, Khalid Aucho, Tony Mawejje, Kizito Luwagga , Farouq Miya, Moses Oloya
Strikers: Robert Ssentongo, Yunus Ssentamu, Brian Umony, Hamis Kiiza.
BLACK STARS SQUAD
Goal keepers: Fatau Dauda, Adams Stephen & Razak Braimah
Defenders: Daniel Opare, Harrison Afful, Awal Mohammed, Baba Rahman, Jeffery Schlupp, John Boyeand Jonathan Mensah.
Midfielders: Agyemang Badu, Rabiu Mohammed, Yusif Chibsah, Kwadwo Asamoah, Mubarak Wakaso, AtsuChristian, Asante Solomon, GyimahEdwin, Afriyie Acquah and Andre Ayew
Strikers: Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew, Abdul Majeed Waris, David Accam
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