Stars for Cape Coast today

Players of the Black Stars are expected to arrive in Cape Coast today to begin preparations towards their final FIFA World Cup qualifier against Egypt on Sunday.

The invited players were expected to arrive in the country last night to enable them to familiarise themselves with the Cape Coast Stadium where they will be playing for the first time.

Coach Kwasi Appiah is looking forward to beating the Pharaohs of Egypt to improve Ghana’s FIFA ranking, as well as use the game to assess his young squad which will again feature some debutants and returnees such as Mubarak Wakaso and Abdul Majeed Waris.

Egypt will be part of Africa's contingent to participate at the global showpiece in Russia next year after beating Congo 2-1 at home in their last outing to secure qualification with 12 points, ahead of Sunday’s game against the Ghanaians.

Ghana are currently third in Group E with six points from five matches and a win over the Egyptians at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Sunday could secure the Stars the second place.

The game will be a mere formality for the Egyptians who will play for pride, hence the decision by Coach Hector Cuper to leave out his star player, Mohamed Salah.