You are here: HomeSports2013 08 28Article 284013

Sports Features of Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Source: www.happyghana.com

The return of Boateng, Essien and Ayew spell doom

The return of Kevin-Prince Boateng, Michael Essien and Andre Ayew to the Black Stars will spell doom for Ghana when they come up against Zambia in the final Group D 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, spokesperson for the Zambian FA, Eric Mwanza has said.

Mr. Mwanza said the Chipolopolo will not play with fear when they line up against Ghana on Friday, September 6 in this must win game for them.

He told the Happy FM sports morning show ?Anopa Bosuo? sports that recalling these players to face Zambia shows the level of respect Ghana has for the opposition as they know that they (Black Stars) will not get an easy tie in the Garden City.

?We have the upper hand in crucial matches against Ghana, and we will be out to prove that assertion in Ghana in front of your home fans?, he stated.

Mr. Mwanza cited Zambia?s successes in the past including denying Ghana a place at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea as well as a place in the final of the African Cup of Nations in 2012 in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, a competition they eventually won.

In the earlier fixture in these qualifiers, Zambia again defeated Ghana 1 ? 0 in Ndola to take an early lead in the group, but, poor results along the line, has seen them trial the Black Stars by a point going into this game.

They require a win to leapfrog Ghana and gain the sole slot from the group and advance to the final round of qualifiers as they seek a first appearance at the Mundial.

And this, the Zambian FA spokesperson is pressing they will do despite Ghana having all the big names at their disposal.

Ghana Coach Kwesi Appiah on Tuesday released a 26 man squad for the tie with the surprise inclusion of Michael Essien a player who has not represented Ghana since 2010 as well as the other aforementioned players.

The inclusion of these players will be to Zambia?s advantage as they have been out for long and will create confusion in the Ghana team and ?we will take it?, Mr. Mwanza concluded.