Ex-Black Stars player, Frimpong Manso, has highlighted how crucial Ghana’s upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifier against Egypt is, suggesting it will shape Ghana’s campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations next year.

The Black Stars have been drawn with Egypt, Uganda and Mali in next year’s tournament that kick-starts on January 14 to February 5, in Gabon.

He said: “We can get the clear picture of how Ghana will perform in next year’s tournament after we play Egypt in the World Cup qualifier next month, so any prediction from me now will be premature.

“So now, we should be focused on how to get a positive result against the Pharaohs of Egypt as a loss will completely dampen the spirit of the guys, which could lead to a disastrous campaign,” he told Alpha Radio.

Ghana faces an uphill task against Egypt on November 13 in Alexandria, after kicking out Egypt by a 7-3 aggregate in the final round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.