Appiah expects sterner test in qualifiers

African giants, Ghana and Zambia have both won a game apiece in the Group D qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup but the group, led by Sudan faces a sterner test going ahead, says Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah.

Sudan, are a point ahead of both Ghana and Zambia, who are on three points each. Lesotho, the other side in the group, are bottom of the standing with one point.

After two rounds of matches, the results have thrown the group wide open with all sides having an equal chance of claiming top spot for a place in the third-round.

Appiah admits there will be plenty of time for some testing battles in what could turn out to be a closely fought Group D as Ghana bids for a third successive appearance at the World Cup.

“The other team is Sudan and they showed by beating Zambia, they are also a good team,” as he dismissed talk of the competition being a two-team race between Ghana and Zambia.

The Black Stars will need to improve as they play at home to Sudan when the qualifiers return on March 23rd next year after losing to Zambia 1-0 last Saturday in Ndola.

“The key for them[Sudan] is that they have been together for a very long time and so we are in a group where every game is going to be vital.”

Ghana won their opening match in the second-round qualifying stage 7-0 against Lesotho.