African News

Appiah wary of Blue Sharks

Appiah: Cautious of Sharks' bite

Appiah: Cautious of Sharks' bite

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah believes his side can ill-afford to underestimate Africa Cup of Nations underdogs Cape Verde on Saturday.

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The Black Stars clash with the Blue Sharks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium for their unexpected quarter-final encounter.

Four-time winners Ghana booked their spot in the last-eight having qualified from Group B undefeated and top of the standings.

Cape Verde, meanwhile, progressed to the knockout stages as surprise runners-up in Group A behind hosts South Africa.

Forty-four places separate the two sides in the FIFA rankings heading into the weekend's crunch match-up, with the Ghanaians having also beaten the Cape Verdeans 1-0 in a friendly late last year.

Appiah, however, has warned his charges not to take their island opponents lightly as anything goes in a winner-takes-all tie.

"They will play without any pressure and they are a very physical side, meaning we have to prepare ourselves very well to match them," Appiah said on Wednesday.

"I respect them and we cannot afford to underrate them. I don't rely on friendly games because in the real game it could be different.

"And looking at how they've performed at the African Cup so far, they are a very good side."

Posted: 30/01/13 12:26

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