Match Information
Ghana vs Botswana
Venue Stade de Franceville | 24 Jan 2012 – 18:00
live update on: www.nilesports.tv
Ghana will face Botswana in the opening round of matches in Group D on Tuesday.
John Dramani Mahama warned players at their training camp in Gabon that every team has “merit” and Ghana “should avoid complacency” against Botswana, which also will be weakened by injury on its debut. Ghana has to do without suspended defender Isaac Vorsah in Franceville, but the inexperienced Botswana squad will seriously miss forward Joel Mogorosi, who broke his arm last week.
The Black Stars are 68 places higher than their opponents at 26th in FIFA’s world rankings, but Stevanovic accepts they must be at their best after seeing Senegal shocked by Zambia on the tournament’s opening day.
“In football, everything is possible,” Stevanovic told ghanafa.org. “Everyone has the chance to get a trophy.
“For example in 2004, in the European Championship in Portugal, the winner was Greece and nobody thought Greece would take the championship.
“We need to take it step by step and think that always and in every game, we have to give our maximum, 100%, and always be aware of our quality.”
Asamoah Gyan is fit to lead Ghana’s attack, but Hoffenheim defender Isaac Vorsah is suspended after being sent off against Sudan in the final qualifier.
Eight players are in line for their first appearance in the tournament, including Marseille forward Jordan Ayew and Rennes midfielder John Boye.
The Zebras will have striker Jerome Ramatlhakwane available but captain Dipsy Selolwane is suspended and winger Joel Mogorosi has been ruled out of the tournament after breaking his arm in training.
Abednico Powell was named as a replacement in the 23-man squad while Pontsho Moloi is also in contention to fill in for the Mochudi Centre Chiefs flyer, after coach Stanley Tshosane resisted the clamour to recall Powell’s Township Rollers team-mate Sekhana Koko.
Tshosane insists his team can cause an upset, saying: “We are not here on holiday.”
Match Information
Ghana vs Botswana
Venue Stade de Franceville | 24 Jan 2012 – 18:00
live update on: www.nilesports.tv
