2021 AFCON: Preview – Ghana vs Comoros – Black Stars in make or break clash against tournament minnows in Garoua
In the final round of group stage matches of the 2021 AFCON, Ghana lock horns with minnows Comoros in a Group C clash at the Roumde Adjia Stadium on Tuesday evening in a quest to book a qualification ticket to the next round of the tournament.
The Black Stars, who are on the brink of a shock early exit from the tournament, need all three points to keep their qualification chances alive after earning a point out of a possible six in their opening two games.
The four-time champions of Africa must now beat Comoros to guarantee a chance of progressing, almost certainly by third place, as Ghana is on the cusp of going winless in an AFCON tournament for the first time ever, despite this being their 23rd finals appearance.
Comoros’ first foray on the AFCON finals stage has resulted in two defeats to nil, and the Indian Ocean archipelago is one of only two teams across the tournament that could still end AFCON 2021 goalless and pointless.
Incredibly, they are not eliminated yet, but The Coelacanths would require a huge win against Ghana, and favorable results in other groups to go their way to qualify.
Yeni Malatyaspor forward Benjamin Tetteh is out of contention for Tuesday’s game after receiving a three-match ban following engaging in a fisticuff, moments after the final whistle against Gabon on Friday.
On the injury front, Iddrisu Baba is a major doubt for Ghana after the 25-year-old midfielder came off with a 65th-minute injury in the aforementioned game.
Meanwhile, Comoros head into the game with a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns meaning Abdou has a full-strength squad at his disposal.
With his goal against Gabon, André Ayew has now scored a first-half opener in three of Ghana’s last four competitive games, while Red Star Belgrade’s El Fardou Ben scored either side of half-time in Comoros’ last win(against Sierra Leone in an international friendly, 2-0).
Possible lineups for both sides are as follows;
Ghana:
Joseph Wollacott, Baba Rahman, Alexander Djiku, Daniel Armatey, Richmond Yiadom, Edmund Addo, Thomas Partey, Joseph Paintsil, Andre Ayew, Fatawu Issahaku, Jordan Ayew (4-2-3-1)
Comoros:
Ali Ahamada, Kassim Abdallah, Kassim M’Dahoma, Younn Zahary, Saïd Bakari, Rafidine Abdullah, Mohamed Youssouf, Youssouf M’Changama, Fouad Bachirou, Faiz Selemani, El Fardou Ben (4-1-4-1)
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Source: Sports
