Welome to SpportsCrusader.com’s Live match coverage of the AFCOn qualifier game between Mozambique and Ghana Black Stars. This is the 2 round fixture after the first round game at Accra Sports Stadium where the Black Stars beat 3 goals to 1.
Black Stars attacking winger, Christian Atsu sat out the team’s training ahead of the Afcon 2017 qualifier against Mozambique.
The Black Stars held their first and final training session in Maputo on Saturday evening to prepare for tomorrow’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique without Atsu.
Sportscrusader.com undersrand only twenty (players) took part in the training for the game in Maputo hence decision to keep Atsu out of the starting line up.
The Black Stars has been hit with injuries since last Wednesday, and the number of question marks to players ability to be physically fit for the qualifiers increased during the match.
Mubarak Wakaso, Frank Acheampong and John Boye were all unable to complete the entire duration of the match in Accra. Christian Atsu who played full throttle, as reported by this portal earlier, complained of pains after the game.
And he was unable to feature in the team’s final training session before the game later today.
Should Ghana win, the national team will qualify to the 2017 Africa Cup of nations in Gabon with two games to spare.
The Black Stars midfielder, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu is hopeful the team will secure win in Maputo on Sunday in the second leg of the 2017 AFCON qualifier.
Ghana defeated Mozambique 3-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium, the first a twin Afcon 2017 qualifier, but the OS Mambas were never a walk over.
Agyemang Badu believes the team struggled in the first half due to the poor condition of the pitch, but recovered well to see off the game.
“I think the first half was a bit difficult and we were having problems with the pitch too but we managed to control the game,” the udinese midfielder said in a post-match press conference.
“In the second half we just continued with what we had to do and we managed to win, so congratulations to my colleagues and the fans who came to stadium and helped us to win,” he said.
The former U-20 World Cup winner reckon the second encounter scheduled for Sunday in Maputo will be difficult, but they have enough quality to to win.
“I know the second leg will be difficult as you can see from the game, they showed here today that they are a good side but with the quality and commitment that we have in camp, we will kill the game there and qualify the nation to Afcon 2017, ” he said.
Ghana sit top of GroupH with 9 points.
The Ghana Black Stars host the OS Mambas of Mozambique in an African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Stars will look to bolster their grip on top of the table and also maintain their 100% win record whilst the Mambas will hope danger-man, Elias Pelembe will help secure a point at least if not a win.
Head coach of OS Mambas of Mozambique, Abel Xavier has admitted his side will have to be clinical in front of goal, to have any chance of influencing the game against the Ghana Black Stars.
Ghana will host Mozambique on Thursday at the Accra Sports Stadium in an African Cup of Nations (AFCON), qualifier in Gabon 2017.
The Black Stars boast of a 100% record with two wins from two games and this Xavier believes indicates that his side cannot afford any lacklustre performance against their opponent.
Speaking to the media after his side trained at the match venue according to Confederation of African Football (CAF) regulations, the former Liverpool midfielder said, “we are talking about being productive, effective as we create more chances in front of goal against the Black Stars.”
“We can have control of the game and even 70% of ball possession but that won’t guarantee us victory. The way to win the game is how we break the defense and be in good positions to take our chances (score).
