A few hours away, the Black Stars of Ghana will parade one of its strongest squads yet as they come up against Congo Brazzaville in the ongoing Nations Cup qualifiers at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi. Kick-off is at 5pm, [17:00 GMT] and will be televised live on Multi TV's Joy Sports (Channel 8). A resounding victory for the Black Stars appears a realistic, if not a non-negotiable expectation, given a 3-0 thumping they forced down the throats of their guests last month – in their own backyard. But with football being what it is, anything can happen and the last disease the Black Stars should suffer is complacency. If anything, their last match at the same venue in the same qualifier against Sudan who are joint leaders in Group I should be good enough a lesson for them. The Stars had not been that listless in a long while and yet on that day they showed every sign of how a team can be superbly disappointing. But the circumstances admittedly are different now. There is a new man in charge – Plavi - who is yet to lose a game after three superb outings during which he thumped Togo 4-1 in an international friendly match; thumped Congo 3:0 in a qualifier and drew 1-1 with England in a pulsating International friendly at Wembley. Even though victory and a resounding one at that is on the lips of many, tonight’s game provides even more crucial expectation than just the three points at stake. Essien returns The Chelsea Star makes a heroic or selfish return [depending on the way you want to look at it] to the Black Stars after 17 months of self-imposed absence from the Black Stars. He was lampooned and vilified for announcing a temporary break from international duties and today marks his return. Even though the qualities of the Chelsea enforcer has never been in doubt, pundits and particularly his critics will watch with steady eyes how Plavi will handle the imposing figure in the Black Stars. Would Essien get a starting place? How will he fit in after such a long absence? What will be his performance and how will that performance affect the team in entirety? How well will he pair with Prince Kevin Boateng? These are only but few questions that will linger and answers to them will hopefully be indelible, at least, after 19:00 GMT Friday. Kevin Boateng factor The AC Milan player after his nationality switch makes his ‘home’ debut for the Black Stars and Kumasi just went ‘mad’. Reports from Kumasi indicate the Baba Yara Stadium fetched a massive crowd - far more than a Hearts and King Faisal match could muster - during the first training session of the Black Stars and the crowd instantly fell in love with Kevin. They mobbed him, cheered him on and heaped gracious adulations on the AC Milan Star. It will be interesting how that adulation will spur him on to put up a sterling performance this evening. It may well also be his Achilles Heel depending on how he manages the incredible wave of expectations of him. Olele’s dilemma Media reports of the former Blackpool shot stopper’s altercation with a fan just days before the crucial Congo encounter has been anything but encouraging. So grave were the reports that Richard Kingson allegedly threatened to quit the Black Stars after tonight’s game - an allegation that has strenuously been denied or rather massaged by the GFA. In spite of his outstanding performance in the past, Kingson has been suspect in recent times and given this dilemma, it will be interesting how he fares. Sammy Adjei will keenly be watching from the sidelines, and hopefully, be praying. Prince Tagoe With Asamoah Gyan out suspended, all eyes will be on Tagoe. He is yet to replicate his outstanding performance which has endeared him to the fans of Partisan Belgrade in Russia. Tonight will be yet another big opportunity to impress. He must not disappoint. Ghana will look towards tonight’s game with so much interest and these key indicators will undoubtedly hover on the minds of many. Black Stars Line-up Richard Kingson, John Paintsil, Daniel Opare, John Mensah, Isaac Vorsah, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Michael Essien, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sulley Muntari, Kwadwo Asamoah, Prince Tagoe Subs: Sammy Adjei, David Addy, Jonathan Mensah, Lee Addy, Anthony Annan, Derek Boateng, Andre Ayew, Opoku Agyemang, Dominic Adiyiah, Emmanuel Clottey, Ernest Sowah Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana