Veteran manager JE Sarpong is preaching optimism ahead of the Black Stars must-win 2018 World Cup qualifier clash against Egypt in Alexandria.

The former Ebusua Dwarfs trainer is one of the few who are confident Ghana can grind out a positive result against the Pharaohs at the Burg El Arab stadium to get their campaign back on the right track.

Ghana were disappointing on the opening day and settled for a goalless draw with Uganda but Egypt showed great determination to overcome a stiff test away at Congo – winning 2-1.

Black Stars are two points behind log leaders Egypt heading into the important match and must prevent Egypt from winning to stake a claim for a fourth successive appearance at the World Cup

But many doubt Grant’s troops – excluding injured captain Asamoah Gyan – can match the Egyptians.

However, Sarpong tells Joy FM Sports ‘’I have some believe that when it comes to where it matters most the Black Stars delivers, they know what is at stake, They want to win back Ghanaians and want to surprise us [Ghanaians]’’

‘’I believe with this Squad we can surprise the Egyptians who have high morale because they won away from home in their first game so all of a sudden they have the believe that they can beat the Black Stars who couldn’t beat Uganda at home’’

‘’At the end of the 90 minutes, Black Stars will come out tops’’ He concluded. 

Ghana will begin training in Dubai ahead of the crunch tie.