Ghana to play Egypt and Tunisia in warm up games ahead of 2013 AFCON

By Ameenu Shardow

Ghana FA boss Kwasi Nyantakyi insists the organized friendly matches for the Black Stars against Egypt and Tunisia are not wasted opportunities.

Ghana will face the record African champions in their first pre-2013 Nations Cup warm up game on Thursday.

The Black Stars will then also play the Tunisia in their final friendly match ahead of the Nations Cup in South Africa three days later.

There are however some muted concerns over the choice of opponents being played considering Ghana will not be facing a North African side at the Group stage of the 2013 AFCON.

But the GFA boss maintains the two friendly games are essential to equip the team adequately to benefit the team in the likely event of facing a team from North Africa in the latter stages of this month’s competition.

“You have to look at the availability of the teams and not just any other team,” he said.

“Egypt though will not be going to the Nations Cup will be in this region (the UAE) to play some games and Tunisia as well are camping here.

“We are also mindful of the fact that we could be playing a North African side, for instance Morocco who are in Group A could face us at the quarter final stage.

“There is also Algeria and Tunisia whom we could also meet at the semi finals or the finals so this is not a wasted opportunity.”

Ghana will open its Nations Cup campaign against DR Congo on January 20 before facing Mali and Niger in the subsequent Group B games.