- Cameroon and Ghana both lost their opening matches
- A second loss would mean they are out of the tournament
- Both teams have ever reached the quarter finals of the World Cup
African representatives Ghana and Cameroon will look for favourable results when they play their second matches of the group phase of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Both sides lost their opening games of the tournament and a second defeat would see them miss out on the opportunity of progressing to the knockout phases.
Cameroon will take on Serbia in the early kick off while Ghana play South Korea in the 4pm kick off.
The Cameroonians have already had a false start to the build up of the match with goalkeeper Andre Onana dropped from the starting team just hours to the match for undisclosed reasons, though sources intimate they may be disciplinary.
Refuse to change style of play
Soccer Football – Africa Cup of Nations 2019 – Group F – Benin v Cameroon – Ismailia Stadium, Ismailia, Egypt – July 2, 2019 Cameroon’s Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui and Andre Onana in action with Benin’s Seidou Baraze and Steve Mounie REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
According to renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Inter Milan shot stopper has been apparently dropped from the team after refusing to change his stye of play. Onana loves to play from the back, but according to Romano, the technical bench have preferred a more ‘traditional’ goalkeeper.
The Indomitable Lions will instead start with Davis Epassy who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia.
The Cameroonians were beaten 1-0 by Switzerland in their opening match and must beat Serbia, who lost to Brazil in the opening game, if they are to remain hopeful.
Head coach Rigobert Song, speaking a day before the match, excluded confidence that his team has what it takes to win.
“We know what is required of us and we know what we must do to win. It will be a tough match but we have prepared to give our best,” said the tactician, also a Cameroonian football legend.
It would be important for the Cameroonians to win as even a draw will leave them in a must win situation against top side Brazil who they face in their final match of the group stages.
Ghana’s Black Stars look to shine against South Korea
Ghana players celebrate their win in a past match PHOTO/GFA
Meanwhile in the 4pm kick off, Ghana, who narrowly lost to Portugal in their first match will take on South Korea in another crucial African clash.
The Black Stars are also in a must win situation if they are to progress. But, coach Otto Addo will have comfort in the kind of performance shown against Portugal and he remains confident they can win.
“We showed some really good things in our first match and this is what we would want to continue when we face South Korea. It is a very tricky match because they are a good side with fast and hard working players. But we have prepared to try get a win,” the coach said.
South Korea, with their star player Son Heung-Min from Tottenham Hotspur started their campaign with a 0-0 draw with Uruguay and will be keen to try get a win.
Addo knows too well that with the Asians also on a must win situation, they need to be at their best to get a good result.
They will once again rely on their captain Andre Ayew and midfielder Thomas Partey to lead from the front and get them through the line.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login