Preview: Black Stars begin World Cup 2022 qualifiers with Ethiopia clash

The Black Stars of Ghana will today, Friday, September 3 commence her journey to the FIFA World Cup 2022.

The Black Stars begin their qualifying campaign at home to Ethiopia at the Cape Coast Stadium. The opening Group G game is expected to kick-off is at 7pm.

 

Looking ahead to the match, Charles Akonnor, Ghana head coach says his team will work hard in order to qualify for next year's showpiece which will be hosted by Qatar.

“We need to start the qualifiers well, so this is a game we must win. Fortunately for us, we’re starting at home, but the fans will be expecting a big win from us. We’re not going to leave anything to chance. We’re quite confident about our capabilities as a team, but it’s equally important to keep an eye on our opponents," he told FIFA.

“We know how quick they are in the transition, how they like to play attractive possession football, and the cohesion they have as a result of most of the team playing in their domestic league. We’ll be ready for them. We need to take advantage and consolidate our gains. We’ll be aiming for the three points and a decent scoreline.”

Having appeared at Germany 2006, South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014, Ghana failed to make Russia 2018, a major setback for the nation,

READ ALSO: CAF gives green light for fans to watch Black Stars-Ethiopia clash

According to Akonnor, his outfit will put in a shift to make it to the football Mundial in 2022. He maintains Ghana needs to rock shoulders with the very best in FIFA's biggest football tournament.

 “When it comes to world football, the Black Stars are torchbearers for Africa. When the best football nations in the world come together, the Black Stars have to be there.

“I’m honoured and privileged to be a part of the success story so far. After three consecutive appearances, missing out on Russia was a devastating blow and a huge disappointment. Maybe we didn’t work hard enough to get there, and it shows that no one has a right to qualify except the hosts. We’ve learned our lessons, and this is another great opportunity for us to reclaim our place and to stand up and be counted once again. And that is exactly what we are going to do.”

Meanwhile, Ethiopia are in good form at the moment as they are undefeated in their last two matches, having secured a win over Uganda and a draw against Sierra Leone earlier this month.

Nicknamed Walia Ibex, Ethiopia have never appeared in the World Cup finals and they are hoping to stun the continent by going all the way and qualifying for the 2022 tournament.

Ethiopia will look to lethal striker Abubeker Nassir, who scored an impressive 29 goals in 23 appearances for Ethiopia Bunna FC, and he will pose a threat to the Ghana defence.

The previous encounter between Ghana and Ethiopia was on 18 November 2018.

Ghana claimed a 2-0 win over Ethiopia in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Addis Ababa Stadium in Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved Ghana’s request to admit spectators.  Two Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty (2,250) spectators will be allowed to watch today's encounter.

The popular stand and the VIP seats are going for GHC 50 flat.