FIFA’s ruling won’t affect us - Kwasi Appiah

Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah says his players are ready to play the Pharaohs in Cairo in the return leg of their Brazil World Cup play-off, despite doubts about their safety in the Egyptian capital.

Some players had reservations about the venue of the November 19 game due to the volatile situation in the North African country and would have wished FIFA moved the match to a neutral venue.

18 days away from the match which will decide which of the two teams will make it to next year’s World Cup in Brazil, Kwesi Appiah has told Joy Sports FIFA’s confirmation of the match venue has not affected their plans.

“Even before FIFA came out with the statement we had made plans as to where we were camping just that we were waiting for them to confirm that it's truly Egypt we going,” he told Joy sports.

“For me whether Egypt or wherever, we were prepared for it; the most important thing is all our players are professionals and wherever we will be playing they just have to know early so they can prepare themselves psychologically for the game.

“When I heard the news I called almost all of them and they are prepared for the game.”

The Black Stars romped to a 6-1 win over Egypt in the first of the two-legged play-off in Kumasi on 15 October. The aggregate winner qualifies for next year's finals in Brazil.