[ 2015-02-01 ]

Ghana, Guinea preview: A battle to ward off Brazil curse or Ebola scourge
There is no love lost between Ghana and Guinea. As
the two line up tomorrow in what will be an
electric quarter final AFCON 2015 duel, each of
the two sides has just a little more to play for
than just a win.

The Sylli Nationale are playing for their citizens
back home struck and some killed by the deadly
Ebola virus. They need something, an AFCON trophy
to lift the psyche of the nation back up.

The Black Stars on the other hand have no Ebola
worries, thankfully for now, but have cobwebs
still remaining from the stinker in Brazil they
have to do away with.

Only a trophy would appease the Ghana fans some of
whom have turned against the Black Stars.

And while both sides have a cause to fight
tomorrow, it remains to be seen which of the two
teams is hungrier.

En route to Morocco or rather Equatorial Guinea
2015, Ghana picked four points from the maximum
six against Guinea but all that means very little
now.

The Sylli Nationale have played some of the most
delectable games in the ongoing AFCON and to
emerge out of a group that has Cameroon, Mali and
Cote d'Ivoire, even if they came out on power of a
lottery, is a testament of a side not lacking in
skill, finesse and charisma.

Ghana on the other hand have served a cup full of
surprises. They are not playing particularly well
in the tournament but when push come to shove,
they sniff the result out in thoroughly dramatic
fashion.

Gyan did against Algeria and so did Dede against
South Africa. And for a nations cup that is not
lacking in drama, the Ghana, Guinea game could
make for a hollywood encounter.

Ibrahima Traore, the Borussia Mochenglachbach man
has been in superb form in Equatorial Guinea. He
has been the thorn in the flesh of many opposing
defence in the tournament and sure looks set to be
one in Ghana's.

He scored the crucial equaliser against Cameroon
in the opening Group D encounter and has carried
the team on his tiny shoulders for most part.

A Guinea place in the semi-final depends largely
on his output on Sunday.

Wakaso Mubarak appears to be gaining a reputation
for being an AFCON player- do well in an AFCON
tournament for Ghana and go on a long holiday
after it only to return with another fine
performance in another AFCON tournament.

In his Nations Cup debut, Mubarak churned out a
fine performance and was one of the top scorers in
the 2013 edition with three goals but suffered a
dip in form after it.
Since his introduction in the second half against
Algeria, Mubarak has been a lynchpin in Ghana's
midfield, connecting defence to the attack.
He plays with skill, passion and sometimes rage
but his vision for long accurate passes is
phenomenal. If Gyan and Dede will pull their magic
once again, much will depend on Wakaso

Source - Joy News

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