Mapeza Targets Black Stars Upset

Warriors head coach Norman Mapeza is aiming for a huge upset when his charges take on Ghana’s Black Stars in the FIFA 2022 world cup qualifiers at Cape Coast Stadium on Saturday.

The Warriors who lost their last world cup qualifiers group G match against Ethiopia, will come up against Africa’s three time champion in front of 4 000 home fans who were allowed in Cape Coast Stadium today.

Mapeza, who has been given a three-months contract following the sacking of Zdravko Logarusici in September, said he is ready to take on the Black Stars despite Ghana FA’s coward tactics.

“ We are ready for the game but our only disappointment is how our training grounds here was not in a good shape. A big football nation like Ghana, we expected something better, said Mapeza at a press conference on Friday.

The Warriors were reportedly forced to abandon training on Thursday after they were given a substandard pitch which was not suitable for professional footballers.

They were transfered to another training facility to which the Warriors manager, Wellington Mpandare beleived was of the similar conditions.

“We asked for another facility, but we got something almost the same. The grass on the pitch was at knee level, they promised to trim the grass but we doubt they can do that, so we are already looking for an alternative venue, ” Mpandare was quoted saying.

However, with Nigeria falling to minnows Central African Republic in the world cup qualifiers on Friday, Mapeza is motivated his team can cause an upset.

“I hope with the guys who are here, we can do a good job for the nation. Playing away in Africa is not easy. You look at the odds, they favour Ghana because of their history.

“But, every team is beatable, looking at how smaller teams are winning against the big teams, then it’s so possible that we can beat Ghana, ” Mapeza said.

“The squad that I picked, I think it’s a balanced squad, I am someone who is much more into the flexibility of players. Football is evolving, so you need flexibility in the squad,” he said.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 16h00 GMT