The Black Stars have their destiny in their own hands on Tuesday evening as a win against Comoros is the only thing that could see them survive an early exit from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Cameroon. Ghana must at least beat Comoros by two goals to be on the safer side. Even if they were to finish third, they would stand a chance of progressing courtesy of goal difference advantage. The four-time African Champions can also finish second in Group A with a convincing win and per what happens in the Gabon vs Morocco game. With just a point from two games, this is Ghanas poorest start in AFCON in over three decades. Going into the last round of group matches, Times Sport looks at five things the Black Stars must do to secure victory over Comoros. -- Thomas Partey must come to the party One hundred and eighty minutes of football played so far and the Arsenal midfielder has been very poor. In fact, Partey has struggled in the Ghana Black Stars all the time with his only best game being against Congo in Brazzaville some years back. In Ghanas last game against Gabon, he was the reason why Baba Iddrisu got injured. Partey was once again lost in action and the Real Mallorca enforcer had to do double work by covering every grass on the pitch. With Iddrisu ruled out of the game tonight, Partey must step up and come to the party. -- Black Stars must focus till final whistle Since the 3-0 humiliation to Algeria in a friendly match on January 5, the Black Stars have been conceding late goals. In the first game against Morocco, the North African scored in the 84th minute whereas against Gabon, the equalizer came in the 88th minute. The players easily lack concentration and tend to let in goals in the dying embers of games. They must fully be on the lookout and keep focus till the referee blows his final whistle. -- Get the balls to Andre Ayew upfront Skipper Andre Ayew will once again be deployed as a false 9 with the country not having a real goal poacher. In fact Ghana has struggled upfront since the legendary Asamoah Gyan decided to hang his boots and they are yet to have a suitable replacement. Ayew, who has a knack for scoring goals, was used as an improvised striker against Gabon and it worked to perfection as he netted a beauty and was also adjudged man of the match. His hold up play is excellent, he is strong on the ball, he has an eye for goal and he is an aerial threat despite a modest height. Just give Ayew the balls, and the job will be done. -- Milovan Rajevac should be proactive The Serbian tactician looks to have lost it on his second spell with Ghana, his changes and timing are very bad. He waits until things are out of hand before he brings in substitutes. Well, he said and I quote: I make changes when I feel like making them. He is a stubborn coach who does not want to make changes even when things are not going well. Players like teenager Fatawu Issahaku need to play. -- Ghana must go into the game with a purpose In the first two games, the Black Stars played like there was nothing at stake, aside Baba Rahman, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Daniel Amartey, Kofi Kyere and Alexander Djiku who were going all out. Now, it is very dicey for Ghana, they need a win against Comoros and they must score more goals to stand a chance of making it to the next phase of the competition depending on the outcome of the Gabon–Cameroon game. Attitude is key and countries such as Gambia, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea have shown that there are no minnows in African football again. Who knows? Comoros could carry the day. Zimbabwe, who were regarded as underdogs, ruined Ghanas chances at AFCON 2006 finals when the Black Stars needed a win in the last Group game to sail through, and this must be a guiding reference for the team. The author is a Ghanaian reporter for The New Times.
