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07.03.2009 Football News

Ghana, DR Congo Lock Horns

07.03.2009 LISTEN
By Daily Guide

A DIFFICULT encounter awaits the Black Stars of Ghana when they clash with DR Congo in the finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Abidjan tomorrow.

The match which could be described as a cliffhanger is expected to be fiercely contested by the two sides especially coming from the back of a 3-0 humiliating defeat suffered by the DR Congo at the hands of Ghana in the group stages.

Both sides survived scares in their semi final games on Wednesday. Whilst the Black Stars beat fellow West Africans Senegal 7-6 on penalties, the Simbas beat Zambia 2-1.

In spite of their shaky start to the competition, the Black Stars indicated their readiness to conquer Africa when they Walloped the Simbas 3-0.  

Coach Milovan Rajevac altered his tactics in the last two games, giving Charles Taylor a starting place in the team, which made a huge difference in the Black Stars' play.

The coach is expected to select the same side that defeated the Congolese and the Senegalese.

“I promise you that the Congolese will not be as easy as the fans are saying because they were not easy in the first game,” Rajevac said.

“We profited from some mistakes they made and I am sure they have done their home work to ensure that they will provide a stiffer challenge.”

Goalkeeper McCarthy, Osei Bonsu, Ofosu Amoah and Samuel Inkoom are expected to provide cover in defence, Charles Taylor, skipper Owusu-Ansah, Dan Yeboah and Jordan Opoku will lubricate the midfield leaving Yaw Antwi and Rahim Ayew in attack.

But the Black Stars would have to be wary of the predating instincts of skipper Lofo and dangerman Tresor Mputu if they wish to carry the day.

Meanwhile, Senegal and Zambia will clash in the third place play-off today in Abidjan.

By Charles Nixon Yeboah

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