Derek Boateng is optimistic of Ghana’s chances in the second 2014 World Cup qualifier against a desperate Zambia team.

The Black Stars will face the Chipolopolo on Saturday in a repeat of the 2012 Nations Cup semi final where Ghana succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.

The team is however on a high following a 7-0 demolition of Lesotho in the opening fixture last Friday.

And is upon this result that the Dnipro midfielder believes time is rife to avenge the painful defeat dished out in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

“Yes of course we are ready and you can see the game we played against Lesotho shows how ready and prepared we are for Zambia,” he told GHANAsoccernet.com.

“We always say first things first and now that we are finished with Lesotho so we pray God helps us and gives us the strength to fight this battle.”

Zambia’s loss to Sudan in the other Group D fixture means the Chipolopolo will come out guns blazing for a win in front of their home fans in Ndola.

But Boateng who is not faced by this prospect added: “Every country that plays Ghana wants to play it tough and win but we are ready for it.

“We respect every country because good football is being played everywhere.

“Ours is to work hard and listen to the coach and I am confident that the outcome will be positive.”