Ghana, Zimbabwe Lock Horns

Milovan Rajevac Ghana and Zimbabwe will re-launch their rivalry at the maiden edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Bouake, Cote d'Ivoire, today.

The local component of the Black Stars who are favorites to win this tournament, have vowed to defeat the dreaded Zebran side who boast of some crack players from champions Dynamos and Highlanders.

The camp of the Ghanaians in the capital Yamossoukro is bubbling with confidence as the Stars dream of halting the Zimbabwean challenge who last beat Ghana 2-1 at the senior level in the CAN 2006 championship in Egypt.

Goalkeeper Philemon McCarthy who has been in tremendous shape this season for Hearts of Oak is likely to keep the post with defenders Samuel Inkoom, Habib Mohammed, Ofosu Appiah and Godwin Osei Bonsu marshalling the rear.

In midfield, skipper Edmund Owusu Ansah, Dan Yeboah, Jordan Opoku and Agyemang Badu are expected to support the attack immensely while lead marksman Yaw Antwi of Liberty and Stephen Manu of Asante Kotoko lead the onslaught on the Zimbabweans.

Already there are questions over the availability of some key players of the Zimbabweans. Midfielder Method Mwanjali remains holed up in Poland while Edward Sadomba -the speedy Dynamos forward who finished as the third best marksman in the Champions League last season, has withdrawn from the team after signing a deal with South African side Bidvest Wits.

Coach Milovan Rajevac has told his players that the ball is entirely in their court as they seek to impress at the first Africa Nations Championship.

“The players know what is expected of them”, he said.

"They must be proud to put on the shirt (national jersey)”.

Scores of Ghanaians in Cote d'Ivoire as well as the Nationwide Supporters Union (NSU) will be journeying to witness the crunch game this afternoon.

By Charles Nixon Yeboah