The Entoto Hills near Addis Ababa have become Ghana's platform for an assault on Nigeria in Thursday's high-profile Group B clash at the U-20 Cup of Nations. Ghana coach Emmanuel Afranie knows his boys need to get used to the tough conditions caused by the high altitude and has got them training in the area favoured by Ethiopian athletics legend Haile Gebreselassie.
The Entoto Hills are where the Olympic gold medallist has developed his enormous stamina and power - it is one of the open secrets behind his huge achievements in athletics.
Afranie is hoping the Black Satellites will gain an edge over their arch-rivals Nigeria - who they beat in the U-20 final in 1999 by 1-0.
But Afranie has also decided to make a few changes to the side that defeated Angola on Monday.
Physical game
One possibility is to start with Denmark-based striker Razak Pimpong for Frank Turkson, who had a poor showing in the opening 1-0 win.
Afranie said: "The Nigerians play a physical game and Razak could stand the fight up front with his markers."
One bonus is that the thigh injury Ishmael Addo sustained against Nigeria in a 2002 World Cup qualifier is not serious, although he was substituted against Angola on Monday to prevent an aggravation.
Derrick Boateng, who grabbed the vital goal in that game, is also expected to have recovered from stomach trouble.
Michael Essien of French club Bastia, who arrived on the day of the match against Angola, will be rested to get used to the altitude.
Psychological edge
Essien played the full 90 minutes against Angola and made the pass for Boateng to score with seven minutes left to play.
With the Nigeria match following soon after another titanic duel two weeks ago between the senior sides in a World Cup qualifier, the Black Satellites may have some psychological edge over their counterparts.
The green and white shirts of Nigeria will not be a strange sight to Ghana's Addo, Charles Taylor and defender Stephen Tetteh, the Hearts of Oak trio who played against the Super Eagles on March 11.
Tetteh kept quiet the likes of Julius Aghahowa, Victor Agali and Nwankwo Kanu.
A win for the title holders on Thursday would put them in the semi-finals and also the Under-20 World Cup in Argentina later this year.
