Ghana - Gabon Showdown On Sunday, Stars On War Path

Badly-bruised Black Stars have declared 'war' on the Azzingo Nationale of Gabon in their return World Cup/Africa Cup Group Five qualifier at the refurbished 40,000 capacity Ohene Djan Stadium on Sunday.

That was the battle cry of the entire team on their return last Sunday from a fruitless adventure which saw them suffer a shocking 0-2 defeat to Gabon in Libreville last Saturday.

An embattled Coach Sellas Tetteh, in a typical warlord style, summed up the resolve of his players to pay the Gabonese back in their own coin, come Sunday, in an exclusive interview with the Graphic Sports.

“All the players assured me on arrival at the airport that the story will change on Sunday. They are determined to make amends and I believe we will win,” Sellas revealed.

The interim Stars coach described the bad defeat as a timely wake-up call for his boys ahead of the next game which they need to win to stay clear on top of the group.

“There are bad days in football and last Saturday was one of those days. The Gabonese wanted to prove something against Ghana and were therefore more determined and hungry for fame. But when they come here, we are going to do the same thing”, Sellas hinted.

Skipper John Mensah confirmed the resolve by the entire playing body to make Ghanaians happy again on Sunday in a separate interview yesterday.

“It is difficult to say what exactly went wrong in Gabon, but we are also determined to beat them here on Sunday, he assured.

On a day the Stars were expected to glitter after conquering Libya and Lesotho, the entire team played as if there was nothing at stake and allowed the homesters to steal the show.

The Gabonese did not only win the battle, but also succeeded in exposing some loopholes in the Stars defence especially, forcing Sellas Tetteh to recall Heart of Lions' central defender, John Boye, into the team.

“I have asked John Boye to join the team when we regroup on Wednesday (tomorrow) morning. We need to work hard because the Gabonese are a tough side.”

Sellas wants to see how best Boye's partnership with John Mensah could cement the Stars central defence which leaked badly last Saturday after injured Eric Addo was substituted by Francis Dickoh.

Gabon's stubborness against Ghana was on full display in a similar World Cup qualifier at the same venue in October 1996 when the two old foes tied 1-1 in the days of the maestro, Abedi Ayew Pele, Tony Yeboah and Arthur Moses.

Come Sunday, it will be the turn of the Stars to enjoy a similar massive support their opponents benefited from in the first leg, though playing at home could also make the players nervous.

After coming on as a substitute for the first time in many games due to his absence from camp to negotiate on his transfer to Zamalek, Junior Agogo is expected to regain a first team ahead of young striker, Eric Bekoe, who started in his stead last Saturday.

A win on Sunday is vital for the Stars who are tied on six points with Libya but lead the group on goal difference.

Story by Samuel Ebo Kwaitoo