When Ghana begins the road to the 2018 World Cup next month, Tamale will be the venue of the first qualifier.
The Black Stars play Uganda at the Tamale Sports Stadium as Group E hostilities begin. The two nations are in the same group with Egypt and Congo as well.
For Ghana, a berth in Russia will be the fourth consecutive time of making it to the global event.
The match against the Cranes of Uganda is slated for Friday, October 7 after which Ghana travels to Egypt for the second game in November.
Congo will visit Ghana for the third qualifier in September 2017 before the
Black Stars embark on two away matches against Congo and the Uganda in September and November 2017 respectively.
GHANA’S GROUP MATES: WHAT TO KNOW
Egypt
Nickname: The Pharaohs
Previous World Cup appearances: 2 (First in 1934)
Best World Cup performance: Best result group stage
Current FIFA World Ranking: 46th
Coach: Héctor Cúper
Undoubtedly one of the biggest teams on the continent and the only team alongside Ghana in the group E with world cup experience.
The Pharaohs will provide a stern test for the Stars again. They missed out on qualification for the mundial in the last edition following a 7-3 aggregate defeat against Black Stars. They have immense pedigree of being seven time champions of Africa cup of nations and can call on some of the continent’s most talented players.
Uganda
Nickname: The Cranes
Previous World cup appearances: Never qualified
Best World Cup performance: Never qualified
Current FIFA World Ranking: 79th
Coach: Milutin Sredojevi?
The Cranes were surprise winners against the Black Stars in the last qualifiers – Africa cup of nations – both sides clashed in after a 1-1 draw in Kumasi. Uganda have never qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations and will need a drastic and remarkable improvement to break their duck for 2018. Uganda reached this stage after eliminating 2006 reps Togo 4-0 on aggregate in the second round of qualifiers.
Congo
Nickname: Diables Rouges (Red Devils)
Previous World Cup appearances: Never qualified
Best World Cup performance: Never qualified
Current FIFA World Ranking: 60th
Coach: Pierre Lechantre
Just like Uganda, the Congo have not had the chance to represent the continent at the world’s biggest football stage but with the third highest ranking in the group after Ghana and Egypt. Their national team is generally a blend of locally-based players and campaigners in France’s various leagues. Upstaging Ghana to book a place in Russia is all but impossible.
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