South Africa will look for the first win in Group G in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when they face Ghana at the FNB Stadium on Monday.
Bafana Bafana opened their campaign with a disappointing goalless draw away to Zimbabwe on September 3, with Hugo Broos’ charges unable to find a way past the Warriors’ resilient defence.
With a home and away double-header against unpredictable Ethiopia looming large next month, this clash against Ghana who beat Ethiopia 1-0 in their opening match, has been identified as a must-win clash for Bafana.
South Africa largely played defensively against Zimbabwe and coach Broos has already indicated that it will be a different match against the Black Stars.
“This is something that I want to see tomorrow [Monday] if those guys are ready or not. For the future, the same thing, maybe I have to make changes for Ethiopia because some players are not of the quality I want for this Bafana Bafana,” Broos said in pre-match interview.
“We need some time, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be aiming for the win [against Ghana]. We are focused on building a team, but we are also focused on getting results and that’s why we wanted to win on Friday.”
Bafana Bafana will be without Bongani Zungu, Keagan Dolly, and Thulani Serero who have withdrawn due to travel restrictions and quarantine protocols.
Ghana will be gunning for a win against South Africa as they look to set a record straight in their quest for a return to the World Cup finals.
Charles Akonnor, the Black Stars coach, is well aware of the threat posed by Bafana Bafana got their group stage off to a solid if unspectacular start against Zimbabwe, and their failure to qualify to 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
“They’re a wounded side because they failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. They’ve brought in an experienced coach in Hugo Broos, who knows a lot about African football. The last time he played against Ghana, with Cameroon at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, he beat us 2-0. That should tell us that we’re coming up against a difficult side,” said Akonnor.
“His first squad announcement is a huge statement of intent and shows he wants to give an opportunity to a more ambitious and hungrier squad.”
Ghana will be without five of their key players when they take on South Africa due to the decision by the English FA not to release players traveling to Covid-risk countries.
Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Tariqe Fosu-Henry (Brentford FC), Baba Abdul Rahman (Reading FC) and Andy Yiadom (Reading FC) failed to travel with the Black Stars as they took flights back to their clubs after Ethiopia match.
South Africa and Ghana have met in 14 matches across all competitions and friendlies since their first recorded clash back in 1994. The Black Stars and Bafana Bafana have claimed four wins apiece, with six games ending in draws.
