Baba Yara Stadium Welcomes Ghana And Egypt Tomorrow

After a pre-match hype, reports of spying and tension, Africa’s continental giants Ghana and Egypt clash tomorrow afternoon in the first leg match of the 2014 World Cup qualifying playoff at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, with the Black Stars tipped to capitalise on their home advantage to cut the Pharaohs to size with a comfortable win.

The incredible wave of enthusiasm of the Ghanaian public and mouth-watering incentives promised the team in the build up to the big game is indicative of Ghana’s resolve not to blow away a date with destiny, even though coach Kwasi Appiah says Brazil is not within touching distance just yet for which reason they will go all out.

Coach Appiah is bent on making history as the first Ghanaian coach to take the Black Stars to their third successive World Cup. And he knows that the final hurdle to Brazil won’t be any easier as his charges face the Aristocrats of African football who are seeking their second World Cup appearance since 1990.

Nonetheless, the Stars coach carries a pot of optimism, saying he expects a 100 per cent delivery capped with a very good win from the team, while Skipper Asamoah Gyan has given a firm assurance that he and his colleagues have prepared well to send Egypt packing home, well beaten.

Firing back from the Pharaohs camp, their American manager Bob Bradley is brimming with confidence ahead of the game.

Even before touching down in Ghana he was quoted in the Egyptian media as saying at a press conference that, "We respect Ghana but we don’t fear them,” typifying the degree of optimism they carry into the match.

Captain Wael Gomaa has also spoken on the lines of his manager, indicating that even though they respect the Black Stars, they would not let their nation down, promising his country that the team would continue their impressive showing in the qualifiers to land in Brazil.

Throughout the qualifiers, the two Africa giants have carried themselves as strong, buoyant sides, with no signs of flagging.

Captain Asamoah Gyan and strike partner, Abdul-Majeed Warris, who scored against Zambia in Ghana’s last group qualifier in Kumasi, will have the task to lead the onslaught in unlocking the Egyptian defence, which can get leaky under sustained pressure.

Ghana’s strength lies in the middle where the return of Sulley Muntari has added to the already gifted operational area which has Chelsea powerhouse Michael Essien, Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah, Mubarak Wakaso, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Christian Atsu and Emmanuel Frimpong all available for selection.

There had been concerns about the absence of some regular defenders due to injury and suspension but the call up of Portugal-based David Addy and Turkey-based Jerry Akaminko would prove a worthy decision.

Without any shred of doubt, the Pharoahs will come determined to stop Ghana from taking a commanding score line into the second leg.