Match Preview: Ghana vs Switzerland, Team News, Predicted Lineups & TV Coverage Pre-World Cup friendly

Ghana face Switzerland in final preparations game on Thursday morning ahead of Qatar 2022 World Cup- which begins this Sunday.

Ghana missed out on Russian 2018 and will be hoping to make a huge impact in Qatar but face the prospect of a tough group with South Korea, Uruguay and Portugal racing against Black Stars’ knockout chances.

Ahead of the World Cup, Ghana have engaged in some tricky friendlies with the notable one against one of Qatar’s World Cup favourites Brazil as the Black Stars were beaten 3-0, thanks to Marquinhos’ opener and Richarlison double before defeating Nicaragua 1-0 following Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s first half strike in September friendlies.

Ghana will be handed the best opportunity to test themselves ahead of World Cup opening game against Portugal when they host Switzerland on Thursday at Al-Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Ghana have been placed in Group H along with two former World Cup opponents Uruguay in South Africa 2010 and Portugal in Brazil 2014.

When Ghana were playing Brazil and Nicaragua in September, Switzerland handed double victories against Spain and Czech Republic, in a 2-1 score line each. Switzerland have lost their manager of seven years, Vladimir Petkovic, for new coach Murat Yakin, a former international player who has only been in charge for little over a year.

The Swiss are taking on Brazil, Cameroon and Serbia in Group G with tomorrow’s game against Ghana the one Switzerland hoping to draw on experience when they face African giants Cameroon in their first game of the group.

Switzerland finished World Cup qualification two points clear of Italy to book their spot in Qatar, reaching their 12th World Cup since their debut in 1934, four years after the tournament was founded.

Switzerland have reached the quarter-finals three times, but not since 1954 when a home crowd pulled them through.

The last four editions saw the team knocked out in the Round of 16 three times, and the group stage once.

The European side will be hoping to extend their 3-game winning streak against Ghana but that will not come easy. The African giants have been boosted with foreign nationals of Ghanaian descents with Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Salisu, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams who could have featured for England and Spain switching camp for the Black Stars of Ghana.

Ghana should also be prepared for the threats of Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka, former Liverpool man Xherdan Shaqiri, Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji and Chelsea’s Denis Zakaria in tomorrow’s crunchy encounter.

Ghana have featured 3 times in the World Cup dating back in 2006 when the Black Stars qualified for the global tournament the first time in their history and reached the round of 16 following defeat to Brazil.

Ghana’s best record so far was in South Africa 2010 after reaching quarter-finals before been crushed out by Uruguay. Ghana failed to qualify from the group phase in Brazil 2014 despite forcing eventual tournament winners Germany to a 2-2 draw while at a point Germany needed to come from behind to share the spoils.

Team News- Ghana

Ghana boss Otto Addo named Black Stars 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup on Monday. The list consisted traditional names Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, Joseph Aidoo.

Ghana touched down in United Arab Emirates’ capital Abu Dhabi on Tuesday as they prepare to face Switzerland on Thursday. There was a major setback after first choice goalkeeper Joseph Wollacott missed out on the squad due to finger injury but the Charlton Athletic shot-stopper could join his teammates in Qatar when he complete a successful surgery.

Ghana boss Otto Addo has a full house to choose from for tomorrow’s game against Switzerland.

Ghana 26-man squad

Team News- Switzerland

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka and former Liverpool attacker Xherdan Shaqiri have been included in Switzerland’s World Cup squad.

Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji and Newcastle United centre back Fabian Schar have also made the cut.

On loan Chelsea midfielder Denis Zakaria and Nottingham Forest’s Remo Freuler are also among those chosen for the squad by manager Murat Takin.

Ex-West Ham midfielder Edimilson Fernandes and former AC Milan left-back Ricardo Rodriguez are also on the flight to Qatar.

However, ex-Rangers striker Cedric Itten has been left out, despite having six goals and five assists this season for BSC Young Boys. Fulham defender Kevin Mbabu and veteran Steven Zuber were left out.

Like Ghana, Switzerland have touched down in Abu Dhabi.

Xherdan Shaqiri, 31, is still going strong for US side Chicago Fire and harbours a stacked CV which includes the likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. He has 108 caps and will be playing in his fourth World Cup.

All eyes will be on captain Granit Xhaka to see whether he can bring his excellent form at Arsenal to the tournament, but goalkeeper Yann Sommer, who has been capped 76 times for his country, may be a doubt after sustaining an ankle injury playing for Borussia Monchengladbach just over a month before the start of the tournament.

Switzerland 26-man squad

Goalkeepers: Gregor Kobel, Philipp Kohn, Jonas Omlin, Yann Sommer

Defenders: Manuel Akanji, Eray Comert, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabian Schar, Sylvan Widmer

Midfielders: Michel Aebischer, Edimilson Fernandes, Fabian Frei, Remo Freuler, Ardon Jashari, Noah Okafor, Fabian Rieder, Xherdan Shaqiri, Djibril Sow, Renato Steffen, Granit Xhaka, Denis Zakaria

Forwards: Breel Embolo, Christian Fassnacht, Haris Seferovic, Reuben Vargas

Ghana predicted XI: Danlad Ibrahim, Tariq Lamptey, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Gideon Mensah, Thomas Partey, Daniel Kofi-Kyereh, Kudus Mohammed, Andre Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulamana, Jordan Ayew.

Switzerland predicted XI: Yann Sommer, Sylvan Widmer, Fabian Schar, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, Djibril Sow, Reuben Vargas, Breel Embolo

TV Coverage

The game will be live on television in Ghana and Switzerland. In Ghana, GTV Sports Plus and Max TV will show the game live 10:00am Ghana time.

Channels

• GTV Sports+
• Max TV
• SuperSport

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