Break out the calculators, things are getting interetsing in Group B! Ghana know that nothing less than a win will suffice against and unpredictable Mozabican outfit when the sides clash on Monday evening. Desh Parthab preveiws.
AFCON 2023
Match 27 – Ghana v Mozambique
Monday 22 January | 22:00
Ghana surrendered their lead against Egypt on two occasions, allowing the North African nation to pick up a point from the game. Despite the disappointing result, Mohammed Kudus and company will take plenty of positives from the match as they look to forge ahead on their AFCON quest.
To Win Match
Ghana 7/10 | Draw 21/10 | Mozambique 4/1
With a single point from their opening two fixtures, Ghana’s hopes of qualification are hanging by a thread. The Black Stars saw defeat on opening day to Cape Verde and followed that up with a stalemate against Egypt – a game in which they led twice against Rui Vitoria’s men.
With a European-based attacking quartet, I think there will be plenty of goals in this one. Mohammed Kudus, of West Ham United, bagged a brace during his only appearance of the tournament. Hamburg’s Ransford Konigsfdorffer attempted three shots, striking the woodwork once, during his run out.
There is also Athletic Bilbao hitman, Inaki Williams, Lyon wideman Ernest Nuamah and the ever-reliable Ayew brothers.
‘’We are aware of the magnitude of this game; we know that this is a game that we have to win,’’ Chris Houghton said to the press ahead of this must-win encounter. There are plenty of big game players in this squad, something that doesn’t hurt their chances in this one!
Mozambique were brought back down to Earth by Cape Verde last time out. Indeed, their 3-0 defeat would have damped any hopes of qualifying from a group that contains African heavyweights Egypt and Ghana respectively.
Tha said, a positive result here, coupled with favourable results elsewhere, could see The Mambas progress to the knockout stages.
In their first game at the tournament, Chiquinho Conde’s men found themselves 2-1 up against Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, until a stoppage-time penalty by the Liverpool hitman ensured that the spoils were shared.
It was a case of all hands on deck defending, with The Pharaohs unleashing over twenty attempts during the encounter. I fear it could be more of the same here in this one.
If they are to get anything from this game, Geny Catamo will almost certainly be involved. The Sporting CP-based Catamo has been electrifying this season and his country will hope he can replicate some of that form in their bid to reach the knockouts.
The 22-year-old was omitted on Matchday 1 due to suspension but was lively against Cape Verde (striking the woodwork with just under an hour played).
Verdict: Ghana 7/10
After securing a 2-2 draw against Egypt, Mozambique were humbled by Cape Verde. With Ghana needing maximum points in this one, I’m certain they’d be licking their lips ahead of this encounter. Big value here at 7/10
