2018 World Cup qualifiers...Egypt will be tough – Nyantakyi
Ghana's Black Stars should expect plots for revenge against them as they face their group contenders in the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw when the series kick off in October.
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Last Friday, the Stars were drawn in Group E alongside Egypt, Congo and Uganda (teams they had encountered in the past) for their Russia 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Reacting to the draw, the president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi, told the Graphic Sports: "It's a very tricky draw and we expect to have lots of plot for revenge, particularly, from the Egyptians."
“Though we have not played many World Cup qualifiers against the other group members, our paths have crossed in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers and have beaten them one time or the other, so they all be coming out strongly against us, but we will prepare well to nullify their plots.”
While the Stars had not encountered Congo in a World Cup qualifying campaign before this draw, they had ridden at the back of Uganda (3-2 in the 2006) and Egypt (7-3 in the 2014 qualifiers) to qualify.
And with their paths crossing again, Nyantakyi expects the Stars to have a very tough time, more so when the teams involved have also seen improvement in their performances.
"It won't be easy as the Egyptians may not see themselves being denied another World Cup slot two times in succession by the Stars. They still have not forgiven the Stars for the 7-3 drubbing which cost them a ticket to the 2014 World Cup. The games against the record African champions will be the toughest, but the other teams who could be potential party spoilers, will not be underrated either."
Stars’ assistant coach, Maxwell Konadu, was of the same opinion and said the Stars' Group E would not be as easy as pundits were saying.
" For us, there is no easy group as every team that have qualified to this point also have the potential of qualifying. The key thing is preparation and for us, it starts immediately with planning."
The Stars begin their campaign with a home tie against Uganda on October 3, 2016 and an away match against Egypt on November 7, 2016. The return tie against Egypt on November 6, 2017,will be the last game of the qualifiers.