2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: South Africa vs Ghana – Preview, H2H, Prediction, Probable XI, Kick-off, Where to watch, betting odds, Team news
Ghana continue their journey to reach Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup with a visit to South Africa on Monday afternoon with a number of key players missing the game for varied reasons.
Ghanasportsonline.com has a comprehensive preview of the fixture, prediction, Kick-off, Where to watch, betting odds and team news.
Kick-off: 16:00 GMT
Venue: FNB Stadium
Where to Watch: GTV Sports+
Team News
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos lamented his side’s attacking profligacy when a youthful Bafana side – ranked 73rd in the FIFA world rankings and 13th in Africa – were held to a 0-0 draw away from home by Zimbabwe’s Warriors who are ranked as the 108th (26th in Africa) at the National Sports Stadium, hour before Ghana defeated Ethiopia 1-0 in Cape Coast.
The Belgian tactician made an open admission after the match about the match fitness of star forward Percy Tau who was hauled off in the 78th minute after failing to inspire Bafana to register an all-important away goal.
Heading into the game against the Black Stars Broos has praised the defensive solidity of his side: “I’m happy about the mentality,” Broos added. I think the players showed a good mentality while defensively I think it was alright. We didn’t give too many chances to Zimbabwe and the defence was there so I’m happy about that also.”
Team News
Meanwhile the Black Stars have notable absentees in Premier League stars Daniel Amartey, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp while defenders Baba Rahman and Andy Yiadom have also returned to Reading FC. Stade Rennais have recalled Kamaldeen Sulemana while midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, who came off the bench against Ethiopia on Friday, has also travelled back to Germany to link up with St. Pauli.
Meanwhile there are 7 home-based players in the Ghana squad who are seeking to gatecrash the starting XI with either Dreams FC’s Philimon Baffour or Hearts of Oak captain Abdul Fatawu Mohammed likely to start at right-back.
Columbus Crew captain Jonathan Mensah returns to familiar territory where he started his career outside of the shores of Ghana after playing for Free State Stars from 2008 to 2009 in the Premier Soccer League.
Head to Head
The Black Stars have taken on South Africa 11 times in recent memories with the latest coming in a 1-1 draw with Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Kudus Mohammed scoring a 49th minute opener for Ghana which was later cancelled out by Percy Tau in the 52nd minute March during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers. Ghana has won twice at the FNB Stadium with the memorable one coming in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when Chelsea legend Michael Essien got on the score-sheet.
Probable XI
Charles Akonnor will ring changes in his side with the unavailability of six starters in the victory over Ethiopia. However goalkeeper Richard Ofori, Gideon Mensah, Alexander Djiku, Baba Iddrisu, Wakaso Mubarak, Andre Ayew and Yaw Yeboah are expected to get starting places in the squad.
Ghana’s probable XI: Ofori – Baffour, Djiku, J. Mensah, G. Mensah – Wakaso, Iddrisu, Yeboah, Owusu – Ayew, Gyasi.
South Africa’s probable XI: Williams, Morena, De Reuck , Xulu, Mobbie, Mvala, Mokoena, Tau, Links, Singh, Makgopa.
What are the Betting Odds – South Africa vs Ghana
With Ghana’s impressive home form in qualifiers with FIVE wins their last five games the odds leaves the game very open for both sides.
1XBet.com.gh have favoured South Africa to win with an odd of 2.36 win while Ghana have a win odd of 3.18 with a draw at 2.97 while Betway.com.gh have given South Africa with a win odd of 2.42 while Ghana have an odd of 3.20 with a draw at 2.83. Safest Goals Option: Under 2.5
Ghana Sports Online Prediction:
South Africa 0-0 Ghana
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Source: Sports
