Coach Abdul Karim Zito has hinted that there will changes to the Black Satellites starting lineup for Thursday’s game against Cameroon.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the National U20 head coach revealed four players could miss the game due to injuries.
The head coach is however confident that his team still has what it takes to beat Cameroon and enhance Ghana’s chances of winning the ultimate.
“We have a few injury situations in camp. Four players have suffered some knocks. And from the advise we are getting from our doctors, they may not be able to play against Cameroon But that’s why we came here with 26 players so we have equally good players”.
“Nonetheless, It’s going to be an interesting game tomorrow and it will be an explosive game of football. Sometimes it takes losing a game to reawaken you. I can assure you that after our team meetings and all what we’ve discussed after the Gambia, the boys are ready for the game against Cameroon tomorrow”.
“We have also reminded the players about what is at stake and the fact that they can add their names to the history of Ghana as the team that qualified Ghana to the U20 AFCON this year and excelled”, Coach Zito stated.
The Head Coach of the National U20 team also said that he’s expecting an interesting game between the two sides and added tomorrow’s match will be reminiscent of previous epic encounters between the two nations.
“Cameroon is a football nation just as we are. Our games are unpredictable. We are going in to win. We will do some amendments to the way we play and ensure that we win the game”.
Cameroon is the only participating nation to sail through to the group stages with a 100 percent record and have conceded only a single goal yet Coach Zito insists that his team is ready to pull a surprise tomorrow.
“We know they are the only team with 100% record so far in the competition but any Ghana and Cameroon is not easy.
“Football has its dos and dont’s and there are factors that affect performance. The weather affected us because we had little time to acclimatize to the weather in Nouadhibou. But despite all factors we are poised to qualify to the group stage”.
“They may be comfortable because they have played all their games at the Stade Olympique but we are here to play football and to secure a win. Mauritania has been here as hosts but they were eliminated”, Zito added.
Goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim reiterated the team’s readiness to win the game against Cameroon and qualify to the semifinals.
“When ever you meet a team like Cameroon it’s a top game. We have met as a team after the last game. We’ve talked a lot and we are very ready. We know what’s at stake if we win so are going all out to win this game”, he said.
The game which will be the first quarterfinals match of the tournament will be played on Thursday February 25 at the Stade Olympique de Nouakchott.
Kickoff is at 4pm GMT.
