Ghana won't sign Brazil friendly contract until after Zambia clash

The Black Stars will not sign the friendly match contract against Brazil in October until they have played Zambia in September, says the Ghana FA.

The Ghana FA says it is only concentrating on the crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier against Zambia in September before considering the match against the South Americans.

GHANAsoccernet.com exclusively revealed on Saturday that the four-time African champions have tentatively agreed to play against the Seleção on 15 October.

However, as the date clashes with the World Cup playoffs which is also scheduled to be played between 11-15 October 2013, the Ghana FA says it will not sign the contract until the Zambia match is over.

"We have been contacted by the Brazilians over a friendly to be played in October. We will not sign the contract until we have played Zambia," Ghana FA spokesman Ibrahim Sannie Daara told Muntie FM in Accra on Saturday.

"Our key focus now is the Zambia World Cup qualifier in September and when that game is done we will make a decision.

"We want to reach the playoff and we are confident we will. Until that time we want to win against Zambia in Kumasi before thinking about the Brazilians.

"However there was an agreement in principle we could consider it in future."

The Black Stars have been pencilled to take on the Seleção on 15 October as the South Americans prepare for their hosting of the 2014 World Cup.

This means Brazil’s match against Ghana will only take place in the most unlikely event that the Black Stars don’t reach the playoffs.

Ghana will take on Zambia on 6 September to decide which country will play in the playoffs for the World Cup.

The clash with the five-time world champions is one the second high-status friendly Ghana have lined up in recent years.

The prestigious Brazil match forms part of Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi’s promise to take the Black Stars to another level in his second term in office.

Ghana have played Brazil thrice at the senior level with the five-time world champions winning all matches.

The two teams met in the second round of the 2006 World Cup, where Brazil beat Ghana 3-0 in Dortmund with goals from Ronaldo, Adriano and Ze Roberto.

Their second meeting came a year later in Sweden when Vagner Love’s first-half goal helped the South Americans to the victory in Stockholm.

Brazil beat Ghana 1-0 in their last meeting two years ago at Fulham’s Craven Cottage in London.

Ghana has also played England in recent years apart friendlies against Holland and Mexico.