After its surprise 2-1 defeat against Cape Verde, Ghana already has no room for error for its second match if it wants to hope to see the round of 16. But against Egypt, also hung by Mozambique 1-1, the task promises to be difficult.
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From our special correspondent in Abidjan,
“ We have no choice, we must achieve a result “. Jordan Ayew’s words immediately set the scene. Ghana knows that it is at stake for its survival in Group B this Thursday because after the disillusionment of the first match against Cape Verde, a new defeat against Egypt this Thursday would strongly compromise the Black Stars’ chances of qualifying for the final stages.
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Winning against a seven-time African champion team that has players like Mohamed Salah in its ranks is never easy. But it gets even more complicated when this same team also missed its entry into the competition (1-1 against Mozambique) and is still looking for its first victory.
Complicated period for Ghana
The Pharaons coach, Rui Vitoria, himself described this match as “ final “, that is to say the task that awaits the Ghanaians to overthrow the Pharaohs who, with one point on the clock, are still in a clearly more favorable position than theirs. Especially since the Ghanaian selection is going through a complicated period.
The Black Stars have had a string of poor performances in recent months, which has aroused the anger of its supporters. Coach Chris Hughton was violently attacked by a disgruntled individual in the lobby of the team hotel on the evening of the defeat to Cape Verde. The Irish technician did not wish to comment on the incident, nor to answer questions about his future at the head of the Black Stars in the event of elimination in the first round, but this testifies to the heavy atmosphere which surrounds the selection.
“ OHe didn’t come here to visit Abidjan »
Faced with the high expectations of the Ghanaian public, Jordan Ayew remains convinced “ that with the players we have, we can pose a problem to anyone “. However, the Black Stars may have to play again without their best offensive player, Mohammed Kudus, who is already absent against Cape Verde and still uncertain for this clash against Egypt.
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Faced with pressing questions from the Ghanaian press on the players’ involvement in this African Cup of Nations that Ghana has not won since 1982, an eternity for a four-time winner of the competition, Jordan Ayew tried to reassure: “ We are 100% involved, we did not come here to visit Abidjan “. The Ghanaians have two matches left to prove it.
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