Sports
Gold Stars, Kotoko brace for tough clashes in CAF competitions
Gold Stars and Asante Kotoko would honour difficult second leg ties in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions respectively, this weekend after uninspiring outcomes in the initial legs honoured in Accra.
Gold Stars suffered a 2-0 defeat at the Accra Sports Stadium last Saturday, leaving them with a tall order as they travel to Algeria to face J.S Kabyle in the second leg tie.
Kotoko conceded three goals in the first leg 4-3 win on Sunday at the same venue and would face an equally difficult encounter against the Kwara United side that are aiming at overturning the deficit.
In a two-legged format, expectation was that the Ghanaian sides would record convincing wins in the first legs to make the second legs more comfortable.
But the current situation leaves them in awkward positions, needing wins at all cost to gain entry to the next stage of the competition.
But Gold Stars’ task looks more Herculean, having conceded two goals from the first leg and would have to score three unanswered goals to overcome the Algerians.
That seem an impossible task, knowing the form of North African sides at home as far as the CAF inter-club competitions are concerned.
Though Gold Stars enjoyed large spells of possession in the first leg, the J.S Kabyle side showed their predatory instincts in front of goal.
At home, they would be even more devastating and that could spell doom for the Ghanaians who must put up a spirited display to leave Algiers with a decent outcome.
Asante Kotoko would, however, go into the second leg with a goal advantage which they have to defend with every sinew.
The Nigerians left Ghana beaming with confidence after finding the back of the net on three occasions. It sounds like a rare thing as visiting teams often aim to adopt defensive strategies in order to frustrate the home team.
But in Accra and in front of a few Nigerian fans, they showed character and carried the fight to the Porcupine Warriors and were successful in breaching their defence on many times.
Away in Nigeria, the Porcupine Warriors must put up an improved performance and guard the rear against the onslaught of Kwara United who are hoping to enjoy a lot of support from their fans.
The clash would revive the sporting rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria that has existed for ages and cutting across the various sports.
The Nigerians can be favourites in this clash but Kotoko has the experience to emerge victorious in high profile games like this.
Ghanaians would expect them to ride on the back of that experience to prove to all that, undeniably the porcupine is still alive.
By Andrew Nortey
Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew says Ghana will leave nothing on the pitch when they face England in today’s World Cup Group L decider at Gillette Stadium.
With both teams on 3 points, Ayew said his job is to ease pressure on the younger players and hold everyone accountable, himself included.
“I’m doing my best to guide the boys, make them comfortable, take pressure off them, and help us perform,” Ayew told reporters. “I have to perform too. They have to perform too. It’s teamwork. We’re helping each other.”
Ghana come into the Foxborough clash after a 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto. England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opener.
The captain’s message was simple, “We’re going to give our 100% and we’re going to fight. I’ll make sure when we come off that pitch, we have no regrets.”
The winner takes control of Group L. Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET at Gillette Stadium.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Black Stars forward Brandon Thomas-Asante insists Ghana will carry no pressure into Tuesday’s World Cup showdown with England at Boston Stadium, saying the team’s self-belief and sense of purpose outweigh outside expectations.
Brandon provided a 95th minute assist that helped Ghana beat Panama 1-0 in Toronto.
The win left both Ghana and England level on three points in Group L following the Three Lions 4-2 over Croatia in their opening match.
Speaking to ghanafa.org Thomas-Asante is adamant that external doubt only fuels the squad.
“Everything to the best ability, it’s very much a case of we back ourselves, we believe in ourselves. Whether people on the outside doubt us, believe us, or anything that’s not what we think about. We think about why we’re here. We’re on a mission,” Thomas-Asante said.
The Coventry City forward said that mission removes any weight of expectation. “That means there’s no pressure. It’s even less pressure for us,” he explained.
“We know our fans believe, but we know that some people might want to overlook us. We use that to our advantage preparing properly and believing that we can go and do something,” He added.
England and Ghana both sit on three points heading into the Foxborough clash, with the winner set to take control of Group L. Kickoff at Boston Stadium on Tuesday.
GFA COMMUNICATIONS
