Uganda coach Moses Basena has said his Cranes side will not underrate injury-hit Ghana when they face off in Kampala on Saturday.
Ghana, whoses chances of qualifiying to the 2018 World Cup in Russia is almost over, have been dealt further blows with injuries to as many as five invited players.
Lead striker and captain Asamoah Gyan, wingers Thomas Agyepong and Christian Atsu as well as defensive duo Harrison Afful and Jonathan Mensah have pulled out of the penultimate Group E qualifier due to injuries picked at their respective clubs.
But coach Basena whose Uganda Cranes place second in the Group and have hopes of toppling leaders Egypt insists Ghana will remain a strong side.
“We are not going to play against individuals; we are playing against Ghana Black Stars so we are treating it with all the seriousness,” he told Kumasi-based Nhyira FM.
“It’s a game everybody wants to win. We are playing a Ghana team that has a lot of pedigree. We want to win to keep our chances alive.
“It’s self-motivating to play countries like Ghana and Egypt.you do not need any external push to fight for victory in such games,” he added.
Ghana are currently preparing for the Uganda clash in neighbouring Kenya. After training with 16 players on Tuesday, head coach Kwasi Appiah is expecting a full house of 21 players when the team returns to the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani for another session today.
The quartet of Abass nohammed, Lumor Agbenyenu, Nicholas Opoku and Raphael Dwamena are the last batch of players expected to join camp on Wednesday morning.
The Black Stars will hold their final training at 11am on Thursday before departing for Kampala later in the day.
Uganda hosts Ghana at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is at 13:00 GMT.
