International Friendly Preview: Ghana - Tunisia

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Quincy Owusu-Abeyie - Ghana

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• Ghana
• Tunisia

Both Ghana and Tunisia will use this match to try out fresh options as they will be without several of their top stars and so will not be at full strength.

The Carthage Eagles have already excused players from CAF Confederation Cup finalists Etoile du Sahel and CS Sfaxien as they play the return leg of the final of the continental competition at the weekend.

Skipper Radhi Jaidi has also pulled out and his place has been taken up by big Stade Tunisien defender Khaled Zairi.

Also, coach Humberto Coelho did not consider top stars like Karim Haggui and Mohamed Chermiti for this test game, which the North Africans aim to use as part of their build-up for their World Cup and Nations Cup qualifier against main rivals Nigeria in June.

In the case of the Black Stars of Ghana, injury has ruled out Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari and Laryea Kingson. Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is of course a long-term casaulty.

A lot is therefore expected of fit-again Stephen Appiah, who missed the Nations Cup his country hosted earlier this year because of a career-threatening injury.

Andre Dede Ayew, the son of legendary Abedi Pele, also has another chance to show he can do the business at full international level after he was a surprise inclusion in the final squad for the Nations Cup. He said: "I'm proud of this second chance."

The match will also be used as part of a campaign against violence and foster unity among Ghanaians, who go to the polls next month to elect a new president.

Probable Teams

Ghana: Richard Kingson - John Painstil, Hans Adu Sarpei, Samuel Inkoom, Eric Addo - Quincy Owusu-Abeyi, Haminu Draman, Stehen Appiah, Andre Ayew - Matthew Amoah, Junior Agogo

Tunisia: Hamdi Kasraoui - Ghezal, Ragued, Mikari, Belaid, Ben Saada, Ben Yahia, Nafkha, Darragi - Jomaa, Ali Zitouni 

Prediction

Ghana to sneak it by the odd goal. Injury-prone striker Matthew Amoah is back at his best in front of goal and what better way to prove that than to score before the home fans.

Ghana 1 Tunisia 0

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