Uganda coach Micho Sredojevic is closely monitoring Ghana ahead of next week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash insisting commenting on the Black Stars axing of three key players could boost his opponents.

The Serbian trainer, who claims he has deep knowledge of the Black Stars, says commenting on the exclusion of the Black Stars top players for the match in Kumasi could motivate the youngsters in the Ghanaian squad.

The Cranes come up against a Ghanaian side whose coach Kwesi Appiah dropped five stars from the team that represented the Black Stars at the Brazil World Cup including Sulley Muntari, Michael Essien and Kevin-Prince Boateng among others for apparent indiscipline.

Asked whether that will make Ghana any weaker, Micho preferred not to be drawn into the talk. “I will not be drawn into what is happening in the Ghanaian camp,” he insisted, “Whatever is happening there is happening.

“Whether Kevin-Prince and Muntari are missing or whatever, I will not talk about it. Depending on what I say, it could motivate them.

“I’d rather concentrate on my team and what I know we can do. I know Ghana very well and I’m following what is happening there.

“One of my tasks is to close the gap between us and those teams that have been at the Africa Cup Of Nations on a regular basis and we are working very hard with my players to achieve that.

“We are working round the clock to get the best of ourselves.”

Ghana will open its campaign against Uganda in Kumasi next week before travelling to Lome four days later for the group’s second qualifying match.