2022 WCQ: Ogua host Ghana v South Africa in a crucial final Group G decider today

On Sunday evening, the Cape Coast Stadium will host the Black Stars and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the final Group G games of the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

The game has been touted as the decider due to the dynamics of the group.

After five matches played, South Africa sit on the log with 13 points while Ghana sit 2nd with 10 points.

A win for the Black Stars will secure them a place in the playoffs.

The Black Stars started the qualification campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ethiopia before losing 1-0 to South Africa in Johannesburg.

They then went on to beat Zimbabwe in back-to-back games before drawing 1-1 with Ethiopia in their reverse fixture on Thursday.

South Africa drew with Zimbabwe in their first game and managed to record wins over Ghana, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe during their second time of asking.

South Africa beat Zimbabwe 1-0 to move top of the group heading into the last group whiles the Black Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by Ethiopia in the other group game.

Hugo Broos’ Bafana side now head into their final game at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.

Bafana’s goal difference is plus five, while Ghana are on positive three.

Therefore, a win for South Africa or a draw will see them advancing to the final play-off round as Group G winners, where they will play one of the other nine group winners on a home or away basis.

If Ghana win, the teams will end on the same number of points, and according to the updated Fifa regulations, goal difference is the next permutation.

That would mean that should the Black Stars win by two or more goals, they will finish above South Africa on goal difference.

However, there is a slight twist should they win by a one-goal margin, when the next permutation comes into play which is the ‘greatest number of goals scored in all group matches’.

With South A and Ghana currently having scored six goals, even a one-goal victory would in fact be enough for the Black Stars, as they would be on equal goal difference with Bafana, but would have scored more goals.

Basically, South Africa cannot afford to lose – any draw or win would see them through, while the Black Stars need a win, no matter what scoreline is achieved.

• Below are the full Fifa rules on the matter:

In the league format, the ranking in each group is determined as follows:

1. greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;
2. goal difference in all group matches;
3. greatest number of goals scored in all group matches. If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings shall be determined as follows:
4. greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;
5. goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned;
6. greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned;
7. the goals scored away from home count double between the teams concerned (if the tie is only between two teams);
8. fair play points system in which the number of yellow and red cards in all group matches is considered according to the following deductions:

• – first yellow card: minus 1 point
• – second yellow card/indirect red card: minus 3 points
• – direct red card: minus 4 points
• – yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points

• 9 drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee Preliminary competition organisation.

Probable line-up

• Ghana

Jojo Wallocott, Andy Yiadom, Abdul Rahman Baba, Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Iddrisu Baba, Mubarak Wakaso, Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Richmond Boakye-Yiadom

• South Africa

Ronwen Williams, Nyiko Mobbie, Terrence Mashego, Terrence Mashego, Rushine De Reuck, Thibang Phete, Teboho Mokoena, Keagan Dolly, Keagan Dolly, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Evidence Makgopa

• What is the time for the game?

The game has been scheduled to kick off at 19:00GMT.