Two footballing countries who are striving to re-establish themselves amongst the continent’s greats reignite their rivalry in what has all the makings of a thrilling contest.
Ghana are looking to bounce back from their disappointing AFCON 2019 campaign, while South Africa are all about giving coach Molefi Ntseki a perfect start to his tenure. Here’s how our analyst expects the game to progress.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Ghana vs South Africa| Thursday 14 November | Cape Coast Sports Stadium | 21:00
To Win
Ghana 19/20
Draw 24/10
South Africa 28/10
Ghana
The once mighty Black Stars of Ghana have underachieved in recent years, having failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and crashing out in the 2019 AFCON in the round of 16. The 2015 AFCON runners up will be looking to turn their fortunes around when they host Bafana Bafana in an eagerly-awaited qualifier on home soil.
The likes of Swansea City’s Andre Ayew and Crystal Palace’s Jordan Ayew are seasoned campaigners and Kwesi Appiah’s side will look to them to provide goals. Maritzburg United goalkeeper, Richard Ofori is expected to give them insight on South Africa’s approach as he has faced a lot of the Bafana Bafana players in the domestic league.
Kudus Mohammed, who received his first ever call up, came off the bench and scored the equalizer for FC Nordsjaelland in their 2-2 draw against Hobro IK in the Danish Superliga. Deportivo Alaves midfielder Mubarak Wakaso and Columbus Crew defender Harrison Afful will miss the game due to injuries and only Hearts of Oak defender Fatawu Mohammed has been a late edition to the squad, as the coach believes he’s got enough depth in midfield and there’s no need for more call ups.
 |
| Bafana Bafana attacker Thembinkosi Lorch scoring against Egypt in the 2018 AFCON – Photo Cred: Steve Haag |
South Africa
It’s a dawn of a new era for Bafana Bafana as they will play their first ever competitive game under coach Molefi Ntseki. His first ever game was a friendly against Mali, which he won 2-1 courtesy of a Dean Furman and a Themba Zwane strike. Speaking of Zwane, he is sidelined by injury and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebogang Manyama has been called up to replace him.
Ghana should be Bafana’s strongest opponent in their group as the other two teams are Sudan and São Tomé and Príncipe who should be easy to beat. The fact that the big guns of the group face these teams on the weekend will not stop them from having a full go at each other.
In terms of head to head statistics, South Africa and Ghana have met 12 times in history with the former winning three times, including the famous 3-0 victory in the 1996 AFCON. Ghana has emerged victorious on four occasions and five of those matches were drawn which includes the recent stalemate in June this year.
Prediction: Draw (24/10)
Ghana have home ground advantage and they have experienced players who ply their trade in Europe and across Africa. On the other hand, South Africa bring their A-game when they’re playing against so-called big teams and they tend to do well whenever a new coach is introduced. A share of the spoils is on the cards.
Written by Benedict Ngwenya for Hollywoodbets.
