With no love lost from the Ghanaians for ‘public number one enemy’, Luis Suarez, this game is expected to be fiesty one as the memories of the 2010 World Cup flows back, thesportsbay.com reports.
The Uruguay striker has already said he was not going to apologise to anybody for the incident that occurred twelve years ago and that alone can push the Africans to exact their revenge and get the maximum points to be certain of their qualifications.
Ghana and Uruguay meet for only the second time, with their first encounter a dramatic 2010 FIFA World Cup quarter-final that the South American side won 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, Ghana having missed a spot kick in the final minute of extra time.
Ghana have three points to Uruguay’s one in Group H and will be certain of reaching the knockout stage for the first time since that tournament in South Africa with a victory or a draw if Korea Republic fail to beat already-qualified section leaders Portugal.
Uruguay are yet to score in Qatar, but if they beat Ghana, they will still make it through to the round of 16 unless Korea Republic also win and maintain their superior goal difference. Uruguay have won their last three final group matches at the FIFA World Cup and are unbeaten at the tournament against African opponents.
Ghana does not have any fresh injury concerns with the Ayew brothers set to start once again. Inaki Williams is yet to score a goal, but his performances have been admirable, while Mohammed Kudus has been Ghana’s star man in this tournament, scoring twice and assisting once in two games. The front four are expected to remain the same.
As for Uruguay, Luis Suarez came on from the bench and could start in place of Edinson Cavani. Facundo Pellistri made an impressive cameo, and Alonso might prefer him ahead of Varela.
Key facts
• Ghana have qualified for the knockout phase in two of their previous three FIFA World Cup appearances.
• Ghana are aiming to win two successive World Cup matches for the first time since 2006.
• André Ayew is set to make his tenth World Cup appearance, only Asamoah Gyan (11) has featured in more games for Ghana at the finals.
• Uruguay are unbeaten in their previous four World Cup matches against African nations (W2 D2).
• Uruguay have not failed to qualify from the group stage in a World Cup final competition since 2002.
