Soccer News of Thursday, 14 March 2013

Source: ghanasoccernet

Joe Addo wary of Ghana's qualification to 2014 WC

Ex-Ghana international Joe Addo says the Black Stars have a ‘50-50’ chance of qualifying to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The Black Stars will host the Nile Crocodile at the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi in a must-win game on March 24.

Ghana’s quest to qualify for a third successive World Cup has been made more difficult after Zambia were awarded three points from the boardroom by World governing body, FIFA, leaving the Ghanaians three points behind the Chipolopolo.

The former Sparta Rotterdam defender, who earned over 50 caps for the West African giants, believes the country’s quest to qualify is far from over.

“Our chances are ’50-50’. We had our problems when we lost in Zambia. That’s where our problems started,” Addo told Radio XYZ.

“If we had drawn there, I think things would have been okay. And then when the points were awarded to the Zambians, then it made it extremely difficult for us. “Our goal here is very simple and straightforward. We have to win all our remaining games which are doable. I really think is doable.

“I think we’ll be able to beat Sudan home and away and then beat Zambia here. I am very sure we can do it.

“But it’s not an easy task. It’s a very difficult and tall test for the national team and the technical staff so I hope they get it right.

“It’s not easy at all trying to win every single game to qualify us to the World Cup. And you have to understand that even when we get out of this group, it’s not a guarantee that we’re going to the World Cup. Now we have to go and play the play-offs.

He added: “So it’s a very tall order this time around. It wasn’t like six years or eight years ago. It’s a very different scene altogether,” he added.