2019 AFCON Preview; Can Ghana end poor record against Cameroon?

Accra, June 28, GNA - Having been left with mixed feelings after the two all draw in a topsy-turvy opening game against the Squirrels of Benin, the Black Stars of Ghana would have another tougher test coming up against the defending champions, Cameroon on Saturday at the Ismailia Stadium, in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tourney ongoing in Egypt.

The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon have proven to be a bogey side for Ghana in the competition with Ghana recording no victory against them in the last four matches, including a 1- 0 loss in AFCON (2008) and a 2-0 semi-finals defeat in Gabon in 2017.

In Ghana’s opening match against Benin, the Black Stars really were their own worst enemy. A sloppy bit of play saw the Stars go down two minutes in, and then after battling back to take a 2-1 lead through Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew, John Boye received a red card, and they couldn't hold on for the win.

Kwesi Appiah is expected to make massive changes this time after his side showed too much patience in attack and had just three shots on goal, but fortunately for them they made two of them.

In the second half, the Stars did next to nothing and they are now second on the table with one point, trailing behind their counterparts Cameroon, who are at the helm with three.

Coach Appiah can however take some positives out of that match as Ghana prepare to face the defending champions. There are still signs of the quality that has seen the Black Stars progress to six straight Africa Cup of Nations semifinals.

The Black Stars have plenty of quality but must cope without the suspended John Boye and possibly Thomas Agyepong after his first half injury.

Cameroon lead the table after posting a comfortable 2-0 win in their opening fixture against Guinea Bissau and will be hoping to record back to back group stage victories when they take on Ghana in the second round of group fixtures.

Clarence Seedorf’s squad were certainly the better of the two sides in their last match and finished the first half with eight attempts on goal out of which two efforts almost made it into the back of the net.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana has been in great form for Ajax but looked shaky against Guinea-Bissau while Cameroon’s finishing was also not at its best. This is perhaps to be expected from a team which has endured a difficult build up.

So far so good for Cameroon but Guinea-Bissau let them off the hook at times and Ghana are a far tougher opponent. Seedorf’s side can be backed to win at 2.80 with a draw likely at 2.75.

Big name players for Cameroon such as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting need to stand up in the absence of Vincent Aboubakar, Joel Matip and Nicolas Nkoulou.

Eight previous meetings have produced three Ghana wins, three draws and two Cameroon victories. The Black Stars have the historical upper hand but Cameroon knocked them out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations semifinals with a 2-0 win.

Cameroon vs Ghana Key Statistics

Cameroon are unbeaten in their last 5 matches (all competitions).

Cameroon have drawn 7 of their last 12 matches excluding extra time and penalties (Africa Cup of Nations).

Ghana are unbeaten in their last 4 matches (all competitions).

Ghana have drawn seven of their last 13 matches (all competitions).

Ghana are yet to register a win against Cameroon in AFCON.

GNA

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