Ghana will take on less-fancied Niger on Monday in their final Group B game at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations eager for a win to stay on top of the group.
The Ghanaians are the huge favourites to scale past the Mena, but given their impressive outing against old horses DR Congo in their last encounter, the game is expected to produce fireworks.
The Black Stars recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Mali on Thursday to revive their campaign after their sloppy 2-2 draw against the Leopards.
Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has stressed the importance of winning the game but admitted his opponents could wreck their ambition of topping the group.
There are injury concerns for the Ghanaians with as many as three key players in the treatment room.
Osasuna midfielder Anthony Annan provoked an ankle problem during the opening game against DR Congo and has not trained since.
The pocket-size midfielder is certain to miss the big clash on Monday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Striker Richmond Boakye-Yiadom is yet to kick a ball after he suffered an injury during a training session in their pre-Nations cup camping base in Abu Dhabi.
Influential midfielder Mubarak Wakaso is suspended for the encounter, meaning his place could be taken by yet-to-click Christian Atsu.
The Nigeriens have a mathematical chance of qualifying after they picked their first point of the campaign, holding much-fancied DR Congo to a 0-0 draw in their second group B game.
Gernot Rohr’s charges will fancy their chances against the four-time African champions.
Victory for Ghana will see them top Group B and remain in Port Elizabeth for their quarterfinal meeting against the runners up in Group A.
Article source: http://www.supersport.com/football/africa-cup-of-nations/news/130128/Ghana_aim_to_top_group
