Matchday two of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers begins with a meeting between the Central African Republic and Ghana at Estadio 11 de Novembro on Sunday.
The teams head into the game off the back of contrasting results last time out, and this weekend's contest promises to be an enthralling affair.
Match preview
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Ghana made light work of Madagascar in their opening qualifying fixture on Wednesday, which finished 3-0 at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
Following a drab opening 45 minutes, second-half goals from Mohammed Kudus, Felix Afena-Gyan and Osman Bukari scored an emphatic victory for Otto Addo's men.
Since a disappointing exit in the group stages of the last AFCON, the Black Stars have turned a corner with three very impressive results since then.
Next up is the first-ever task of taking on an opposing side who rank 69 places below in the latest FIFA rankings of all national teams.
Sunday's visitors will be looking to turn things around away from home having only recorded one triumph from their last 12 games on the road dating back to 2020.
Central African Republic fell to an agonising 2-1 defeat against the Giant sable antelopes of Angola in Wednesday's encounter.
Raoul Savoy's men opened the scoring through Samuel Nlend before second-half strikes from M'Bala Nzola and Dala Gerson turned the game on its head.
Les Fauves have now failed to win any of their last six outings since a shock 1-0 victory over Nigeria back in October 2021.
More worryingly for Sunday's hosts, they last won on home turf three years ago and have failed to score in six of the subsequent home matches.
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Team News
Having opened his international account for the home side last time out, Samuel Nlend will be looking to pick up where he left off.
Brad Pirioua was hauled off at half time following a pedestrian display against Angola, and the midfielder is expected to be dropped to the bench.
Osman Bukari and Felix Afena-Gyan were Ghana goalscorers for the first time on Wednesday, and the former could join the latter in the starting XI for this one.
Andre Ayew continues to close the gap on Asamoah Gyan at the top of his nation's all-time appearances chart, as the 32-year-old now sits just six shy of the record.
Central African Republic possible starting lineup:
Kolimba; Dambakizi, Ndobe, Guinari, Yangao; Youmbi, Niamathe; Ouatching, Nlend, Ban; Namnganda
Ghana possible starting lineup:
Wollacott; Baba, Mensah, Amartey, Odoi; Fatawu, Mohammed, Kudus; Afena-Gyan, J.Ayew, A.Ayew
We say: Central African Republic 1-2 Ghana
Ghana boast a significantly better squad on paper, and while that does not always translate to success on the pitch, we are backing the visitors to carry the day, albeit by only a narrow margin.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
