Stars to maintain dominance over Congo

The Black Stars of Ghana will seek to maintain their dominance over their Congolese counterpart in today’s Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup Group E qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Per the head-to-head record between the two countries since 1965, Ghana has won 10 out of 12 games as against one by the Congolese (in a friendly in Brazzaville on March 31, 1967), and one draw, making the the Stars the overwhelming favourites in the game which kicks off at 3.30p.m.

The Stars last beat Congo 3-2 in a ceremonial match in Brazzaville in 2015, setting the stage for yet another important win in this crucial World Cup qualifier.

Aside the above statistics, Coach Kwasi Appiah and his charges are inspired to snatch all the three points after they were given a lifeline by Uganda’s vital 1-0 home win over the Pharaohs of Egypt in Kampala yesterday.

The Stars are so fired up that the effect of the absence of three key players - striker Raphael Dwamena, John Boye and Isaac Sackey - has been buried in haste with head coach, Kwasi Appiah saying their prayers are with them to recover speedily.

The deputy captain, Andre Dede Ayew, summed up the mood in camp thus: “We’ve prepared well because we know it’s a very important game.”

“We want to win the three points at home and prepare for Wednesday. Anything short of a win means we are out of the World Cup.

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“We’re going to give of our best to win the next two games. We’re going to do everything to win all our games.”

The late inclusion of free-scoring Richmond Boakye-Yiadom is expected to give Coach Appiah some striking options as skipper Asamoah Gyan leads the team which is expected to feature players such as Dede Ayew, Christian Atsu, Thomas Agyepong, Ebenezer Ofori, Thomas Partey, Daniel Amartey, Harrison Afful, Lumor Agbenyenu and goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

Coach Appiah looks set to register his second win with the support of Kumasi fans to inspire a third in the return leg in Brazzaville next Wednesday.

With Uganda now topping the table with seven points, followed by Egypt with four points, a double win over Congo will catapult Ghana to the summit as joint group leaders.