Avram Grant warns players not to underrate Rwanda

Ghana head coach Avram Grant has warned his players not to underestimate the challenge Rwanda will present when the two teams meet in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers on Saturday at Amahoro stadium.

Both teams are level on three points in Group H, but the Black Stars have a better goal difference than the Amavubi Stars, who beat Mozambique 1-0 in Maputo in June. Grant’s team walloped Mauritius 7-1 in Accra but the Israel-born tactician sees Rwanda as his team’s biggest threat in the group.

“Rwanda is a very good side and very tricky. They have very good players so we have to be careful. They went and got three points in Mozambique so we have to give our best on Saturday,” Grant said.

Ahead of the game against Rwanda, the Black Stars defeated Congo 3-2 in an international friendly on Tuesday in Brazzaville. Rwanda also won their own warm-up match 3-1 against Ethiopia last Friday in Kigali.

The Israel-born tactician added, “I think it will be a tough match but we have to play good football so that we get a good result. What we have to do is to stay focused and concentrate on Saturday’s match.”

The former Chelsea head coach registered a huge 7-1 win over Mauritius in the first qualifier played in Accra in June. Team captain Asamoah Gyan and Aston Villa forward Jordan Ayew scored twice each while Christian Atsu, Jeffrey Schlupp and David Accam got the other goals.

Meanwhile, Ghana players started arriving in the country on Wednesday evening—the first group of two players, John Boye and Jonathan Mensah arrived in Kigali from Europe, while the remaining 44-man team delegation jetted into the country on Thursday afternoon from Congo.

The team has been booked in Kigali Serena Hotel. Yesterday afternoon, the Black Stars trained at FERWAFA ground and today they will use Amahoro stadium, the venue for the match.

Ghana delegation:

Players: Braimah Razak, Antwi Ofori, Dauda Abdul Fatau, Afful Harrison, Baba Rahman, Boye John, Mensah Jonathan, Amartey Daniel, Daniel Nii Agyei, Afriyie Acquah, Andre Ayew Morgani, Jordan Ayew Pierre, Gyan Asamoah, Wakaso Mubarak, Rabiu Mohammed, Accam David, Jeffrey Scglupp, Christian Atsu Twasam, Assifuah Ebenezer, Benard Mensah, Solomon Asante, Edwin Gyimah, Richmond Boakye Yiadom and Yaw Frimpong.

Coaches: Avram Grant and assisted by Konadu Maxwell.