All eyes on Kudus, Nuamah

Ghana's poster boy, Kudus Mohammed, and the emerging talent, Ernest Nuamah, will be in the spotlight as Coach Chris Hughton leads the Black Stars to a high stakes encounter against the Central African Republic counterparts on Thursday at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Hughton's and his charges missed an automatic qualification spot after playing a scoreless draw with Madagascar in Antananarivo, thereby pushing their quest for a spot at the continental competition to the final lap of qualification to the next Africa Cup of Nations where they hope to coast to a victory and secure a 10th straight Nations Cup qualification ticket.

Thursday's clash will be fiercely fought as Group E leaders Ghana, Central African Republic and Angola all chase two qualification tickets to the continental tournament in Cote d'Ivoire in January.

For the Black Stars, they need just a point to sail through while Les Fauves (The Wild Beasts) who trail Ghana by two points, need a victory at a venue Ghana last tasted defeat 23 years ago during the 2000 AFCON.

With Skipper Andre Ayew lacking match fitness and unlikely to start, while deputy skipper, Thomas Partey, is, also, ruled out with injury, a huge responsibility will fall on Kudus, the team's star performer in recent times, to provide inspiration in midfield, following his big money move to West Ham United from Ajax. Also expected to make it into Coach Hughton's starting line-up and operate from the flanks is talented Nuamah, who recently joined French giants, Olympique Lyon, on a season-long loan.

The Ghana coach has some injury worries with Arsenal star Partey unavailable for the important match alongside goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott and centre back pair of Mohammed Salisu and Daniel Amartey. Also on the injury list are midfielders, Majeed Ashimeru and Kamal Deen Sulemana, as well as forward, Benjamin Tetteh, who previously featured in the AFCON qualification campaign. Their absence has opened the door for other players to step up to the plate and make an impression on the coach for a first team place. 

Wollacott's absence paves the way for the return of South Africa-based goalkeeper, Richard Ofori, who has been out of the team for many months. Also returning are Baba Iddrisu, Baba Rahman, Ransford-Yeboah Koningsdorffer, and Elisha Owusu who makes a comeback after an injury-induced layoff, with Medeama SC forward, Jonathan Sowah, getting his debut call-up.

Coach Hughton will also be counting on his trusted stars such as Jordan Ayew, Alexander Djiku, Gideon Mensah, Lawrence Ati Zigi and Joseph Aidoo to lead the charge to secure qualification, which will not be a walk in the park despite Ghana's home advantage. 

When the two teams met at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda, Angola [CAR did not have a FIFA-approved stadium] in June last year for the first leg, the Black Stars were hoping to book an early qualification, but the hosts put up a spirited performance as Karl Namnganda's goal just before recess cancelled Kudus's opener in the 17th minute and the two sides settled for a 1-1 draw.

Coach Raoul Savoy will be eyeing an upset and a piece of history by guiding his team to a rare win in Kumasi to secure their first-ever AFCON appearance and will rely on former France U-20 star, Geoffrey Kondogbia, and forward, Louis Mafouta, the leading scorer in Group E with four goals, to help their bid to disrupt Ghana's aspirations.