Egyptian Football fans will cheer for Ghana against Uganda on Saturday

Should Uganda fail to beat Ghana in the other Group E game in Kampala on Saturday, Egypt would only need a home win over bottom side Congo to seal World Cup qualification.

Egypt are currently top of their group with nine points, two ahead of second-placed Uganda and four clear of Ghana. Congo have a single point.

head coach James Kwesi Appiah is optimistic the team will rally to beat Uganda and keep alive hopes of reaching the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“Players that are in now, their confidence levels are rising slowly and for that reason I believe when they go out there, there’s not too much pressure on them,” Appiah said, adding the players will be looking to “express themselves” on the pitch.

Ghana will be without five first team regulars for the weekend match, including defender Harrison Afful and captain Asamoah Gyan, who led the team in its 5-1 demolition of Congo Brazzaville in their last World Cup qualifier.

The coach has been forced to bring in five new players to the squad, all set to earn their first caps. They include midfielder Kingsley Sarfo of Swedish side Malmo, defender Vincent Atings of Ghana premier league’s Hearts of Oak and striker John Antwi of Egyptian side Misr Makkasa, all of whom trained with the team for the first time in Nairobi.

John Antwi tweet:

Time to do it for the motherland ?? ??#BlackStars #WCQ2018 #StillBelieve?? pic.twitter.com/OeCLLJaGgu

— John Antwi (@johnantwi_29) October 4, 2017

A win in Kampala is vital for the Black Stars — currently placed third in the group with five points from four matches — before their final qualifier against current leaders Egypt, at home in Accra on November 6.

Uganda, which is in second place with seven points will be without former Kenya-based midfielder Khalid Aucho and Murushid Jjuuko who are suspended.