Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah, has dropped a strong hint of his intention to feature young predating striker, Abdul Majeed Waris, in Ghana’s final Group G encounter against Portugal in Brasilia on Thursday.
Waris has been recuperating from an ankle injury he sustained during Ghana’s last warm-up match against South Korea in Miami on June 9 and is yet to taste action at Brazil 2014 World Cup.
But the Stars coach disclosed in an exclusive interview with the Graphic Sports, after last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Germany in Fortaleza, that the Valenciennes striker would be ready for selection on Thursday after recovering fully from injury.
According to the coach, he wanted to use Waris against Germany last Saturday but later thought it wise to rest him to avoid aggravating the injury which could take him off for a longer spell.
“We wanted to use him today but later thought it was dangerous to rush him and end up worsening the situation which could keep him away for a long time,” Appiah recalled.
He was optimistic that the slippery striker would fully recover in time for the game against Portugal which is a must-win for Ghana.
Waris remained the Stars’ reliable striking partner for Asamoah Gyan during the World Cup qualifiers but is yet to make his World Cup debut.
In Fortaleza last Saturday, the young striker was seen warming up right from the restart but was never introduced into the game.
-graphic