Gyan: Ghana must beat Egypt at all cost

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan is optimistic the Black Stars will edge out Egypt to record their third successive World Cup appearance next year.

The Pharaohs have been drawn against the West Africans in Monday’s draw ceremony in Cairo, Egypt. The Black Stars will host the seven-time Africa champions in the first leg of the two-leg tie on the weekend of 11-15 October, with the return match set for 15-19 November.

Gyan said although it is going to be a tough game, he was prepared for any team in the play-offs.

"I'm not surprised about Ghana meeting Egypt,” the Al Ain striker told Accra-based Happy FM. “We should make room for everything. We are not going to have any problem once we are focused and make sure we have the goals in the first leg."

He added: “We have to qualify at all cost. It doesn't matter who we are facing, all we need is to keep our heads up and win. I'm sure we are winning whether in Kumasi or Cairo."

Ghana will be looking forward to revenge a 1-0 defeat against Egypt in the final of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. The aggregate winner after the two-leg tie qualifies to the finals in Brazil 2014.

Full games:

Ivory Coast v Senegal

Ethiopia v Nigeria

Ghana v Egypt

Burkina Faso v Algeria

Tunisia v Cameroon