Audio By Carbonatix
Former Chairman of the Ghana Football Association, Lepowura M.N.D Jawula and veteran coah, Sam Hemans Arday are cautioning the Black Stars not to consider victory against Lesotho in this weekend’s World Cup qualifier a done deal as they could end up laughing at the wrong side of their mouths.
While Lepowura is urging the Stars to be guided by history, Coach Arday says Lesotho will just be happy to upset the Stars apple cart.
The Stars are away to the Likuena (Crocodiles) of Lesotho in their last but one game in these qualifiers, but are talks of that match being an easy deal for the Ghanaians with more focus rather on the very last game against Zambia in September.
Lepowura Jawula, who led the the Stars to a qualifying match in Lesotho during his tenure, says it will be dangerous for the Stars to consider the Likuena as pushovers.
Zambia currently lead the group standings with 10 points, one ahead of the Stars and with Zambia also tipped as favourites in their home match against Sudan on Saturday, a win for the Stars will help mantain the pressure on the Chipolopolos with that one-point for their September clash.
“On paper it is predictable that the winner of Group D will be decided by the in the final match between Ghana and Zambia and so most people may be carried away by that.
“ Yes it is important to talk about the Zambia game in September, but of what importance will that match be if the Stars slipped against Lesotho and dropped valuable points while the Zambians are able to scale the Sudan hurdle?
“ It is therefore important for the Stars to also consider the game in Maseru a difficult, but must-win one to keep the momentum for the Zambia return leg.”
Lepowura Jawula cautioned the Stars to be reminded of how Ghana struggled and had to come from behind to draw 3-3 with Lesotho in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Maseru in 2001 to know that tough times lied ahead on Sunday.
Though Charles Amoah gave Ghana the lead in that game, Lesotho took a commanding 3-1 lead. The Stars were saved the blushes from a 85th and 90th minute strikes from Nana Arhin-Duah.
“Lesotho are dangerous at home and the Stars must not be carried away by their 7-0 win in the first encounter and go into the game as if they can override them again. They may not score as many goals but they are capable of being an impediment.
“Lesotho know they have nothing to lose in the outcome of this encounter, but they will be thrilled to scupperbe credited with the fact that they will be the ones to hamper the chances of the Stars with a revenge for the 7-0 beating they received in Kumasi in the opening game. They will even be out to also help the cause of their neighbours, Zambia who currently lead and could do with such a big favour as Ghana dropping valuable points.
“Unlike other blocks where no one wants to do the neighbour a favour, alliance is very strong in Southern Africa and that could motivate Lesotho to give Ghana a very tough time on Sunday,” Lepowura Jawula said.
Coach Sam Arday, who has also coached the Stars, also gave similar advise and stressed the need for Kwasi Appiah to adopt a strategy that will force the Likuena to open up.
“ Having conceded as many as seven goals against Ghana and four against Zambia last week, they will likely play a very defensive game which could frustrate the Stars but Kwasi Appiah must adopt a style that will hold them to their own game at least for the first 15 minutes which will then force them to open up,” Coach Arday advised.
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