After losing the first game against Senegal last Monday, the Black Stars now have their fate in their hands and must seek a win against Algeria to avoid early exit from the competition.
A win for the Black Stars will preserve their records in the competition as being among the last four in the last three competitions,
It will definitely not come easy against a side that has made so much progress in the last two years assuming the status of the continents number one football nation.
Aside that, it will be a task against a team that came back from a goal deficit to beat much fancied South Africa in the first Group C match 3-1.
But the Stars have no option than to pluck the three points as stated by midfielder Christian Atsu.
�We know the Algerians are a very good side, well organised and good at scoring goals, but we cannot afford to lose this match. We have to fight hard and pick the three points.� Atsu stated.
Atsu�s expression is obviously the feeling of the entire team.
However, the success of the team will depend much on the approach by the head coach, as his 3-5-2 formation seemed to have come under intense criticisms after the dramatic loss against Senegal, which saw successful execution of the tactics only in the first 30 minutes, as they sat on tenterhooks for the rest of the 60 minutes.
It was obvious the game plan did not work, but post match interviews from the coach and the players makes one convinced that, the same approach will be used in the game against Algeria.
�We are very comfortable with the system. We did not lose the match because we played 3-5-2 formation. We have corrected our mistakes and we will seek to improve in the next game�, defender Jonathan Mensah said.
It does not look like Ghana will make any tactical variation to their next game plan and that may be a recipe for disaster because the team seemed not to have perfected the system taking into consideration.
However, an improvement in the execution of that game plan and good conversion rate in front of the goal post could change their fortunes and possibly hand them the three points.
But much will be depend on the availability of Asamoah Gyan, who missed the first game as a result of malaria.
His presence is expected to bring some fear in the opponents defence as well as increase the potency of the attack.
He remains the best predator in the team and could be the deciding factor in the game against Algeria, if only he is fit enough, though the Algerian coach Christian Gourcuff wished he will remain unfit.
Coach Gourcuff said at a pre-match conference that, they were aware of Gyan�s threat and will plan for him.
Touted by the head coach Avram Grant and defender Jonathan Mensah as the best striker in Africa, Gyan will definitely have so much on his shoulders and could be the nemesis of the Algerians on the day, though the odds favour them.
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