Annan: Ghana needs crucial win

Competition: 2012 African Nations Cup Qualifier
Teams: Ghana v Swaziland
Venue: Accra Sports Stadium - Accra
Date: September 2, 2011
Time: 18:00 GMT [6:00PM Local Time]
Anthony Annan believes Ghana could be the ultimate beneficiaries from winning Friday's African Nations Cup qualifier against Swaziland.

Ghana host the Swazis in the penultimate Group I qualifying match, thus the reverse clash at the Accra Sports Stadium, after posting a 3-0 away win back March in Mbabane.

Annan says Ghana's first leg win would count for nothing if the Black Stars fail to win on Friday before an expectant home crowd, explaining that their opponents would not be pushovers.

"Not at all. It is very true we beat them 3-0 but that does not mean that they are a weak side. Every team that plays against Ghana redouble their efforts and we expect Swaziland to follow that trend. However, we are determined for victory and we will do our best to achieve our target," said the on-loan Vitesse Arnhem player.

The Black Stars sit top of Group I with a better goal advantage ahead of Sudan. But Annan says Ghana needs the three points from their final home game.

"The outcome of the match is very crucial to our chances of qualifying for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. All we want is the three points, nothing short of that. We have the same point with Sudan (10-points) and this being our last home match; we need the maximum points to remain on course. Our last match is away to Sudan and the outcome of the Swaziland game will greatly have an impact on the final game."

The kick off time for Friday's qualifier between Ghana and Swaziland has been confirmed for 18:00 GMT [6:00PM Local Time].