Ghana’s national Under 23 team, the Black Meteors appear set for their Ivorian counterparts come Sunday in another Ghana versus Cote D’Ivoire battle for survival for the 2007 All Africa Games.

Only last Sunday, the two nations clashed in a crucial second leg final elimination contest for Togo 2007 and the Starlets emerged victors on the strength of the away goal rule, having finished the tie on 3:3 aggregate with the Baby Elephants at the Sunyani Coronation Park.

The Starlets had to fight from a first leg, two nil defeat to clinch that feat in that uncompromising duel, with the winning goal coming rather late in the 72nd minute.

On this account, the Black Meteors can expect real fight of their lives from the Ivorians, who are reported to have promised themselves a revenge for their juniors and country.

With the Ivorians determined to reassert their recent dominance over the Ghanaians in junior game, the vast experience of one of Ghana’s most successful coaches, “Sir” Cecil Jones Attuquayefio, who recently returned from France with his team after a training stint, would be required to map out a winning strategy.

It is not surprising that the double winner on the continental club title decided to augment his team with players like Mohammed Tuaha Khamix, Yaw Frimpong, Frank Andoh and Isaac Vorsah after their training tour in France hoping to give the team the winning edge against the Ivorians.

The Meteors, captained by Michael Helegbe have already engaged in a series of friendly matches to fine-tune their preparations for this crucial encounter.

Though any win will be welcome news, the Meteors need to win by a big margin to make the second leg in Abidjan a mere formality having in mind how strong their opponents are at home.

In defence, the likes of Charles Vardis, Isaac Vorsah and Michael Akuffo among others will have to work overtime to contain their skilful opponents who play as a cohesive unit.

For the midfield, eyes will be on Anthony Annan, Abraham Annan and Tauha Khamix to form a linkage to feed the attack led by Michael Helegbe and Alex Asamoah.

The second leg comes off in a fortnight time at Abidjan and the winner of the tie will face Nigeria in another two-legged affair.