Cape Verde duel is the most critical qualifier

Accra, Sept 12, GNA - Coach Ratomir Djukovic had tagged Ghana's Black Stars impending World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde Island as the most critical of all the games played so far.

The Serbian said, "I consider the Cape Verde game as the most crucial and plan to go all out to fight for a desirable result." The Stars trek to Praie as guest of Cape Verde in the final qualifier and need only a draw to seal their qualification to a debut World Cup appearance in Germany next June.

The coach told the GNA Sports that, "I am taking this game very seriously even though many believe there is no way we would stumble at this level".

He explained that, "Everything is possible in football and though I'm optimistic about our chances, we are unwilling to take chances". The Ghanaians lead the six-country table with 18 points and can only slip in the face of a heavy defeat to Cape Verde and only when the Democratic Republic of Congo record a big win over South Africa in their final game.

Djukovic intends to commence camping of the team with his local-based crop of players next week in his quest to build a formidable squad that would be capable of keeping their desire of at least getting a point intact against Cape Verde.

He told the GNA Sports that, "I'm thinking of assembling the local boys by Monday as part of plans to ensure we enjoy adequate preparations for the game".

The team leaves Accra on Sunday, October 2, for Portugal where the foreign-based players would be expected to join the team to gear up their preparation for the Praie battle slated for Sunday, October 9. The Stars emerged 2-0 victors when the two sides locked horns in the first round game played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi and look the favoured side in next month's duel.