Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations clash between Ghana and Cape Verde, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
GhanaHis bid for a fifth Africa Cup of Nations title begins on Sunday when they meet Cape Verde in the second game of Group B at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium.
The Black Stars were humiliated at AFCON 2021, exiting at the group stage, and are keen to overcome that ignominious exit this time around, while their opponents will be hoping to exceed expectations again.
Match preview
© Reuters
Ghana’s early group stage exit at the previous Cup of Nations was a low point for the four-time African champions, who were knocked out so quickly for the first time since the 2006 edition.
The West African nation have since continued to thrive at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, topping their qualifying group for the continental showpiece despite drawing three and winning as many in six games.
Chris HughtonHis men were unconvincing and remain so. Hence, it remains to be seen if the Black Stars will turn it on at the AFCON to shake off the troubled performance of two years ago in Cameroon.
Muhammad Qudous starred in Qatar and the West Ham man is expected to carry the can for the four-time winners, who are looking to claim another title since they last reigned in 1982.
However, Ghana must be at a higher level to avoid the early exits seen in 2019 – when they were eliminated at the round of 16 – or the group stage exit of the previous edition, when they finished fourth in their group without claiming a win.
Cape Verde should have nothing to fear in Sunday’s game, with the Blue Sharks the type of opposition to make the Black Stars uncomfortable if they execute properly.
Bomber leads the Portuguese-speaking nation to other finals, having managed the team to reach the round of 16 at AFCON 2021, qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage.
This result is undoubtedly tougher to achieve, with the Blue Sharks battling against nations who have secured the title many times over.
Despite not being perennial participants, Cape Verde have managed to get out of the group twice (2013 and 2021) in three finals appearances, possibly giving Bubista’s players the necessary confidence to make it through a tough draw.
While their 2-0 warm-up loss to Tunisia was far from ideal, the Blue Sharks know their opponents are under more pressure to secure maximum points in Sunday’s game, meaning they can play without fear against the Black Stars.
Ghana kit (all competitions):
Cape Verde Jersey (all competitions):
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Team news
Thomas ParteyHis injury struggle means the Arsenal man is Ghana’s high-profile absence at AFCON 2023.
Kudus was an injury doubt but the West Ham man should be ready to start on Sunday, with Inaki Williams leads the attack for the Black Stars.
The Bournemouth striker Antoine SemeneuKundous, like Kundous, played no part in the goalless non-competitive game against Namibia and may not be rushed back into the starting line-up.
Cape Verde having eight different goalscorers in qualifying was a statistical quirk and suggests they are a team that does not rely on one player to deliver the goods, adding to their unpredictability.
The Blue Sharks have no reported injuries during the clash, with Bubista expected to use a 4-3-3 against the Ghanaians.
Ghana’s probable starting line-up:
Ofori? Seidu, Djiku, Salisu, Mensah? Amartey, Baba? J. Ayew, Kudus, Paintsil; Williams
Probable starting line-up from Cape Verde:
Vozinha? Semedo, Borges, Pico, Stopira. Rocha, Costa, Monteiro; Mendes, Rodriguez, Bebe
We say: Ghana 1-1 Cape Verde
Ghana played a goalless game against Namibia in their pre-AFCON friendly and may struggle to break down a tenacious Cape Verde defense on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scores and more for this match, click here.
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com predict under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they have in store for this game and more of their tried and tested football tips.Under 2.5:data