Ghana have confirmed 2022 Fifa World Cup hosts Qatar as their new second international friendly opponents for the month of October, following the withdrawal of Equatorial Guinea.
The Black Stars were to play the Nzalang Nacional on Monday, October 12, in Antalya, Turkey to wrap up their schedule for the upcoming international window.
But the Equatoguinean FA pulled a surprise on their Ghanaian counterparts with a letter citing travel restrictions by their government prevents them from honouring the arranged test match.
Now the Maroons of Qatar have accepted to step in and face Ghana, which means new Black Stars coach CK Akonnor gets enough games to shape his team ahead of the November batch of games in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Both teams have a game each before coming face to face on Monday, October 12. Qatar have a game against India on the 8th while Ghana play West African rivals Mali the following day Friday, October 9.
The Ghana-Qatar match on October 12 will be played behind closed with the strict observance of COVID-19 protocols.
As arranged for the Mali friendly, this second game is expected to also be telecast live by state broadcaster GTV Sports+.
Ghana are keen on these two games to serve as preparatory platforms for a doubleheader tie with Sudan between November 9 and 17 in Group F of the 2021 Afcon qualifiers.
The Black Stars top the group with 6 points following victories against South Africa as well as Sao Tome and Principe in November 2019.
