The Black stars of Ghana in their bid to make it 4 successive World Cup appearances in a row have been drawn in group E together with the likes of Egypt, Congo, and Uganda The four-time African champions, since qualifying to the 2006 Mundial, have been a regular participant at the world football festival.
The group opponents in the qualifiers are familiar faces with Ghana meeting each of them in the recent past in qualification series to major tournaments.
The Black Stars of Ghana have played Congo on 10 occasions recording 8 wins, a draw and only one defeat which came in an international friendly in 1967. The Red Devils of Congo were drawn with Ghana in group G of the 2012 AFCON qualifiers.
Ghana won both legs with ease. Goals from Prince Tagoe, Dominic Adiyiah and Sulley Muntari ensured Ghana won 3-0 away.
Black Stars scored 3 at home too but conceded a goal. Isaac Vorsah, Prince Tagoe and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu scored Ghana’s 3 goals with Fabrice N’Guessi getting the consolation for the away side.
The other group opponent Uganda was in Ghana’s group during the 2006 qualifiers. A late header by current Ghana captain Asamoah snatched an all-important away point for the West Africans.
The 2nd leg was a nervy game but Mathew Amoah and Michael Essien scored for Ghana to bag 3 points in Kumasi. The two sides found themselves in the same group again during the 2015 AFCON qualifiers.
The Cranes of Uganda picked 4 points from the two legs but Ghana managed to top the group.
In all Ghana has faced Uganda 12 times; winning 6 and losing 3 with 3 stalemates.
The last group opponent who might send shivers down the spines of Ghanaians is Egypt; the team Ghana had to beat to qualify for the last World Cup in 2014. Amongst the group opponents, Egypt is the only team to having a better head-to-head against Ghana.
The Pharaohs have met the Black Stars on 20 occasions winning half of the encounters, drawing 5 with Ghana winning 5.
Can Ghana make it 4 World Cup qualifications in a row?
Head-to-head between Ghana and the opposition in Group E:
GHANA Vs Congo Games:
10 Win: 8
Loss: 1 Draw: 1
GHANA Vs Uganda
Games: 12
Win: 6
Loss: 3
Draw: 3
GHANA Vs Egypt
Games: 20
Win: 5
Loss: 10
Draw: 5