Egypt is Ghana' s biggest threat: FA boss
Xinhua, June 28, 2016 Adjust font size:
Ghana' s FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi sees Egypt as the biggest threat to his country' s qualification to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The two countries were placed in Group E with Congo Brazzaville and Uganda when 20 nations were split into five groups this weekend, with the winners advancing to the finals in Russia.
Despite insisting the other group opponents are not pushovers, Nyantakyi said the Pharaohs were seeking to avenge the 7-3 humiliation from the Black Stars which earned the West African powerhouse its third straight world cup appearance in Brazil in 2014.
"It's a very tricky draw and we expect to have lots of plot for revenge, particularly from the Egyptians. It won't be easy as the Egyptians may not see themselves being denied another World Cup slot two times in succession by the Stars," state-run Graphic Sports quoted Nyantakyi as saying on Monday.
"They still have not forgiven the Stars for the 7-3 drubbing which cost them a ticket to the 2014 World Cup," said Nyantakyi, who is an executive committee member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
He believes the games against Egypt, the record African champions, will be the toughest, but the Black Stars will not underrate other teams, who could be potential party spoilers.
Assistant coach of the Black Stars Maxwell Konadu said quality preparations and massive government support would do the trick for Ghana.
The African qualifying matches will take place between October 2016 and November 2017, with Ghana kick-starting its campaign at home against Congo. Endit