AFCON Qualifiers: Preview of Ghana vs Kenya

The Black Stars of Ghana will be playing at the Accra Sports Stadium for the first time in five years in the final Africa Cup of Nations qualify for Egypt 2019.

A place at the top of the table is at stake when the senior national team takes on the Harambee Stars of Kenya on March 23rd in Accra. The Harambee stars are making a return to the AFCON for the first time since 2004 after an impressive qualifying series that has seen the East Africa country beat the mighty Black Stars team.

Ahead of the game in Accra, the Black Stars of Ghana will be hoping for revenge as well as secure top spot in Group F.

The Kenyans lie top with seven points and just a point above the Black Stars with Ethiopia sitting third in the group. Sierra Leone were disqualified from the qualifiers by FIFA following government interference in the running of the Sierra Leonean Football Association.

Coach Kwesi Appiah to invite new players for final group game

Having already booked a place in Egypt, head coach Kwesi Appiah is expected to invite new players into the team as he shapes up his squad for the competition proper in June.

Over sixty players have all auditioned for a role in the Black Stars team since Appiah took over the job in May 2017. From William Owusu to Kwesi Okyere Wreidt and to Thomas Agyepong and the gaffer will be expected to follow same route by handing call ups to some new Ghanaian players that are on form for the clubs.

Appiah has been monitoring the performances of Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Felix Annan, Bernard Mensah of Kayserispor who could be out due to injury and Belgium based duo Joseph Painstil and Joseph Aidoo.

However, some of the regular faces who might have not had the chance to play will be given the opportunity against the Harambee stars in March.

Kenya have already named their 24 Man squad for the game

Head coach of Kenya Sébastien Migne has named a 24-man provisional squad for the game against the Black Stars. His team features two debutantes, David Sessay and Christopher Mbamba, who ply their trade in England and Sweden respectively.

Local stars Duke Abuya of Kariobangi Sharks and Faruk Shikalo of Bandari, have also gotten the coach’s nod.

Coach Migné has further named an additional five reserve players as a precautionary measure, who may be called upon to replace any of the 24 players in camp if need be.

Record of games between Ghana and Kenya

Ghana's biggest victory in football history was against Kenya in 1965 where the Black Stars walloped the Harambee Stars 13-2 in an international friendly in Mombasa.

Kenya beat Ghana in 2003 in an international friendly played in Accra before adding their second win over the stars last September.

Two other games between the two sides have ended in a draw and four wins to Ghana.

How Kwesi Appiah should approach the game

Kwesi Appiah is known for his free flowing football and ahead of the game on March 23rd, he will be expected to open up especially with top spot at stake.

The former Khartom El Watani coach could deploy his favourite 4-4-2 formation to with the width offering more in attack as seen in his teams all the time.

What to expect from coach Sebastine Migne

Migne is celebrated for leading the Harambee stars to their first AFCON since 2004 but the French man has targeted top spot in group F.

A finish ahead of Ghana will be seen as huge success for the East African nation.

Migne will be expected to parade a line up that suits the 4-5-1 formation he used to beat Ghana in September last year.