Ghana eye winning start in qualifiersGhana will face off with Ethiopia in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group F match at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.
Kick-off is at 5.30pm CAT.The Black Stars are four-time Afcon title winners - having lost five times in the final. They finished fourth during the 2017 finals in Gabon.
Newly appointed Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah as been handed a two-year mandate to qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup and also win the 2019 Afcon title in Cameroon.
Prior to the clash with Ethiopia, the Black Stars have been at a
training camp in Kumasi. Late last month, Ghana drew 1-1 with Benin in
an friendly match in Accra.The Black Stars will once again look to their star players, Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew, who also serve as the captain and vice-captain respectively.
Ghana head coach Appiah has urged fans to come in numbers on Saturday and he also discussed the Black Stars' squad depth.
“I am on my knees pleading to all Ghanaians to rally support behind the Black Stars as we play Ethiopia on Sunday at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium,” Appiah said.
"We have lot of talents in the country and I want to do my best by making good use of them and create competition in the team.
"All we want is the best for Ghana."
Meanwhile, Ethiopia were crowned Afcon champions in 1962. Since then they have participated in seven finals. Their last appearance was in 2013 where they failed to reach the knockout stages.
The Walia Ibex are under the guidance of Ashenafi Bekele, who was appointed last February. The Ethiopian tactician is expected to guide the team to the 2019 Afcon finals.
Before facing the Black Stars, Ethiopia were suppose to face Zambia in an international friendly, but the encounter was cancelled.
Saladin Said, who is the current top in the 2017 Caf Champions League with six goals, is part of the Walia Ibex squad that is in Kumasi.
Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) general secretary Wolvinken Nllyou says they can claim at least a point against Ghana.
"Our first game is very important because Ghana is a good side. If we just draw with Ghana in an away match, our chances of qualifying will be brighter," Nllyou said.
"A good result in Ghana will bring optimism in our team so we will try to win or at least pick one point from the game.
'We're aware that Ghana are playing good football and are one of the top countries in Africa but we're determined."
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