Ghana holds their own destiny against Guinea-Bissau

The Black Stars of Ghana have not recorded any win in their 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Egypt, with two group matches played.

This makes the final Group F game for Ghana against the “Wild Dogs” of Guinea Bissau a decider on Tuesday at New Suez Stadium.

Ghana’s Group F is one of the nit-pickiest in the tournament with all the nations in the group standing in good positions to qualify for the next round.

Kwesi Appiah’s men are in second place with two points, while Guinea Bissau are at the bottom with just one. This would be the first meeting in the history between the two nations.

Ghana has managed only two goals with the Ayew brothers the only players in the team to hit the back of the net in the tournament. Andre and his younger brother Jordan scored the goals in the game with Benin in the first half.

Two draws with Benin and Cameroon have not been the ideal start for Ghana, but the team is still in a good position to make it through to the second round.

A big game awaits the Black Stars in the next round if they can get out of the Group so they will be looking for a positive performance in fixture knowing a defeat would see their elimination from the AFCON.

Ghana are unbeaten in their last 5 games, but the last 3 in a row have all ended in draws and that result is not expected to be good enough without help from Cameroon in the other group game. Ghana have struggled to win in their 16 games, winning only four in that run.

However, they now face what many perceive to be the weakest team in the Group in the shape of Guinea- Bissau and the thirst for the three points from the latter should mean Ghana have spaces to exploit.

A draw could be enough to move into the second round only if Cameroon beat Benin in the other game in the Group, but Ghana should want to showcase some of their power ahead of what is likely to be a big match with either Tunisia or Nigeria in the second round.

They may not have been at their best in either of their first two games, but Guinea -Bissau have kept themselves alive in the competition battling to a goalless draw with Benin last time out.

That point means they hold their own destiny in their hands and a win for them should be good enough to earn them a spot in the next round.

The Djurtus are yet to find the net at the tournament in Egypt and would have to do that against Ghana in Suez if they want to win.

Guinea Bissau have won one of their last 11 games and the fact that they have not scored in their last four games should be a major source of concern for them for a side that needs to secure three points in this game. They had conceded at least twice in their previous consecutive games before the Benin goalless stalemate.

For Ghana, this does look to be an ideal opponent with Guinea- Bissau struggling at both ends of the field and if they do open up Ghana should be able to expose them.

This match would be played at 16:00 GMT will be the first match between the two sides.

However much would depend on the nature of selection coach Kwesi Appiah would put across on the day.

In central defence, Ghana would have John Boye making a return to the team after a one match suspension and would pair with Jonathan Mensah, whilst Andy Yiadom and Baaba Rahman are likely to maintain their positions at the wing back.

Should Appiah stick to his midfield setting then workaholic Mubarak Wakaso, Thomas Teye Partey, Andre Aye and Kwadwo Asamoah would man that area with Jordan Ayew still leading attack with a possible inclusion of Kwabena Owusu.

But in all cases, the destiny of the nation lies in the hands of the Black Stars and no other team.