Here’s how we expect Black Stars will line up against South Africa in Monday’s Fifa World Cup 2022 qualifying match.
Ghana’s Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign got off to a nervy start against Ethiopia, but the Black Stars can entrench themselves as group leaders when they meet South Africa on Monday night.
Bafana Bafana were well-organized in their opening group match against Zimbabwe but had a lack of creativity and execution in their final third.
They will face a Black Stars team that won 1-0 against Ethiopia in their opening Group G game but their style of play and the way they won the match did not inspire confidence.
Ghana needs to improve on that performance but coach CK Akonnor’s team has been completely ravaged by the withdrawal of six players who started the match against Ethiopia.
Even substitute Daniel Kyereh has also been recalled by his German club St Pauli which means coach Akonnor has some selection headache for the game.
After England clubs decided not to allow players to travel to COVID-19-red listed countries, the English-based quintet of Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Jeffrey Schlupp(Leicester City), Jordan Ayew/Crystal Palace), Andrew Yiadom/Reading FC, and Baba Abdul Rahman/Reading FC were not allowed to join the traveling party.
The trip was also missed by Rennes’ forward Kamal Deen Suleymana, and Daniel Kyereh from St. Pauli.
Their clubs have recalled them for similar reasons which has left Akonnor up short.
This means six players from the game against Ethiopia have to be replaced which will give players on the bench the chance to show what they can do for the Black Stars.
Goalkeeper Richard Ofori will maintain his place in the post while Hearts of Oak captain Fatawu Mohammed and France-based Gideon Mensah are expected to take the places of Andy Yiadom and Baba Rahman at right and left-back respectively.
At the heart of the defense with Amartey leaving, coach Akonnor is likely to rely on USA-based experienced defender Jonathan Mensah or Joseph Aidoo to partner the hardworking Alexander Djiku.
Mubarak Wakaso will continue to partner Iddrisu Baba in midfiled while Samuel Owusu is epxetced to play from the right wing in place of Kamaldeen with in-form Yaw Yeboah or youngster Fatawu Issahaku playing in place of Schlupp on the left wing.
Italy-based striker Emmanuel Gyasi is likely to take the place of Jordan Ayew in attack to partner captain Andre Ayew.
BLACK STARS STARTING PREDICTION XI
Richard Ofori, Fatawu Mohammed, Gideon Mensah, Jonathan Mensah, Alex Djiku, Mubarak Wakaso, Samuel Owusu, Baba Iddrisu, Emmanuel Gyasi, Andre Ayew, Yaw Yeboah.
Confirmed Starting XI: TBA on Monday 6 September
