Raoul Savoy, the coach of the Central African Republic (CAR) national football team, has issued a warning to the Ghana Black Stars ahead of their upcoming match in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Both teams are vying for a spot in the 2023 AFCON tournament, which will be held in Ivory Coast next year.
Currently, Ghana leads Group E with nine points, while CAR sits in third place with seven points, behind Angola with eight points.
Given the point difference, Ghana will aim to either win or draw to secure their place in the tournament, while CAR must secure a victory at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Thursday. Despite the challenge, Savoy remains confident and has referred to his team’s astonishing win over Nigeria two years ago in a 2022 World Cup qualifier at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. He believes that the Wild Beasts are capable of stunning the four-time African champions, just as they did against the Super Eagles.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Savoy said: “Nigeria never expected us to beat them at home, but we did, so you never know.”
CAR held a training session at the Baba Yara Stadium on Wednesday and are eager to trade tackles with Ghana in the highly-anticipated match which kicks off at 16:00 GMT.
Meanwhile, see the Black Stars squad that will face the Central African Republic (CAR).
See below for the full list;
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Wollacott (Charlton Athletic), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (KAS Eupen)
Defenders: Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Patrick Kpozo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens)
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens), Edmund Addo (Spartak Subotica)
Wingers: Joseph Painstil (Genk), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), KamalDeen Sulemana (Southampton), Ernest Nuamah (FC Nordsjaelland)
Attackers: Andre Ayew (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Holstein Kiel).
