Ghana is set to kick off their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign against Cape Verde on Sunday evening. The Black Stars aim to secure their fifth AFCON title, seeking redemption after recent disappointments, including an early exit in the group stage during the last edition.
The match at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium promises to be captivating, with Cape Verde being considered one of the unexpected contenders in this year’s tournament. Since their triumph in 1982 led by George Alhassan, Ghana has struggled to add to their four AFCON titles and faced a dramatic group stage exit at the hands of Comoros two years ago.
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Under the management of Chris Hughton, who took over last year, Ghana has faced challenges in steering the team in the right direction. With three losses in five games, including a goalless draw against Namibia in preparation for the tournament, their world rankings have dropped outside the top 60 just before AFCON begins.
Sunday’s match against Cape Verde marks the sixth encounter between the two teams, with Ghana having won four of the previous five meetings and suffering one loss. Despite a disappointing 2-0 loss to Tunisia in a warm-up game, the Blue Sharks recognize that the Black Stars are under more pressure to win the game, allowing them to play without fear in their quest for victory.
The game is set to kick off at 20:00 GMT.
Ghana’s possible starting lineup:
- Ofori, Seidu, Djiku, Salisu, Mensah, Amartey, Baba, J. Ayew, Kudus, Paintsil, Williams
Cape Verde possible starting lineup:
- Vozinha, Semedo, Borges, Pico, Stopira, Rocha, Costa, Monteiro, Mendes, Rodrigues, Bebe
