GHANA’s Black Stars have promised a full combat battle as they take on Taifa Stars in a friendly tie at the New Stadium in Dar es Salaam today.
Black Stars Serbian coach Rajevac Milovan said yesterday that his side will deliver in its full potential possible, regardless of the notable miss of some key first team players, including sturdy Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien and Inter Milan attacking midfielder Sulley Muntari.
Milovan, who temporarily hired Yanga’s coach and countryman Dusan Kondic as an interpreter, said: “We are not ready to concede defeat tomorrow (today), because we are fully aware that any result here would make a significant count in Fifa ranking.
The team’s head of delegation Joseph Appiah echoed the same sentiments, saying: “We have come with a strong squad and we have come for a real test.
We believe everyone in the squad is fighting for the first team assurance. Tomorrow (today) will be an opportunity for them to prove their quality. We are sure that they will go for the kill.
He refuted suggestions that the West African giants have underrated the Taifa Stars, that is why they came with mostly a make shift squad. “We’ll never underrate any team in the world. We take any match as serious as possible.
We are not ready to go down the Fifa ranking with cheap defeats. That has never been our policy,” he stressed.
He further said: “We are going to put a very serious opposition. We know very well the strength of the team we will be facing. Taifa Stars is a good team; we have prepared very well to face them.
Appiah said while Essien is nursing injuries, Muntari was still making efforts to settle at his new club-Inter Milan, after making a move from England’s Premier League side Portsmouth this season.
Other key players who have not come with the team include Asamoah Gyan, Quincy Owusu Abeyie, Anthon Annan, Junior Agogo, John Paintsil and skipper Stephen Appiah.
On his part, Taifa Stars coach Marcio Maximo is full aware of the importance of today’s match. “Games like this are very important to improve our standard and quality of our players.
“Everyone knows that Ghana is a strong team in Africa. What I can promise Tanzanians tomorrow (today) is a maximum good, exciting and competitive game. I can’t promise results.
“I believe we will take good lessons after the game, apparently because our opponents are truly far better in terms of standard,” he said.
Maximo also challenged the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to continue inviting strong teams of Ghana’s calibre so as to give Stars a befitting test.
Stars will bank their hopes on key players including prolific striker Musa Hassan ‘Mgosi’ who has just earned a recall in the squad. The diminutive striker is expected to combine well with Mrisho Ngassa, Jerry Tegete and Adam Kingwande.
