Ghana’s skipper Asamoah Gyan has assured victory for “Black Stars” fans regardless of prevailing hot weather and poor playing surface at Tamale Stadium.
“It is going to be very difficult for us but I would say this is not the first time we are playing under this conditions, there shouldn’t be any excuses, we will make sure we play our normal game and play whether hot or cold,” The Al Ahli forward also known as “Baby Jet” said after their first training at Tamale Stadium on Wednesday.
Ghana hosts Uganda in their opening group “E” fixture of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers on Friday, October 6, 2016.
“It’s quite difficult to talk about the pitch because we can all see what is going on and we will make sure we forget about the pitch and play, it’s not in the best shape as we would have wanted but we will try to do our best to do what we do best.” The former Udinise man said.
Coach Avram Grant has also voiced his concerns over the bad state of the playing surface.
Gyan on 48 goals for the four-time African champions will also be angling to reach or cross the 50-goals mark, however team’s targets come first for him,
“As a striker everybody will expect you to score, I always try to do my best for the team to win, when I get an opportunity to score and the team wins I will be happy.”
He is banking on the home support to lift them past the East Africans, who shocked them 1-0 in their last meeting in the AFCON 2015 qualifiers,
“This is the third time we are playing in Tamale and I’m sure the stadium is going to be full like the other two games or more and we will make sure we take the three points.”
The Black Stars hold their last training at 3PM local time after visiting two local chiefs.
Meanwhile Uganda Cranes are expected in Tamale from Togo where they have been camping; the Coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic’s side will have a feel of the pitch at 4PM.
@bonfaceosano
