Lomotey will feature in the Black Stars line up against South Africa today
Amiens SC midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey is a shock starter for Ghana ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa on Monday night.
Coach Charles Akonnor has chosen the 23-year-old ahead of Spain-based Baba Iddrisu for the holding role against the Bafana Bafana.
Lomotey has been heavily criticized since he broke into the team amid claims he adds nothing special to the current set-up.
However, despite the mounting criticism, the Ghanaian gaffer has kept faith with him and handed him a starting role against Hugo Broos men.
This is a massive opportunity for the former Dreams FC man to silence his critics – who claim he gets a look in due to his strong ties with the football top brass.
Ghana are in control of Group G thanks to their win in their opening group game against Ethiopia. A further win in Johannesburg would put South Africa’s qualification hopes into serious doubt.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last eight matches and have kept a clean slate in seven of those matches which means they will be very difficult to beat.
They are favourites to win the match against the Black Stars who have been decimated by the absence of about nine top players.
Two heavyweights of African football face off at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday as South Africa host Ghana in a huge World Cup 2022 qualifying clash.
The hosts kicked off stage two of the qualifying process with a 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe, while Ghana beat Ethiopia 1-0 to lead the way in Group G.
South Africa is in Group G along with Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zimbabwe. They have a difficult task ahead of themselves if they want to be eligible for the global spectacle.
Only the Groups A-J winners will be able to progress to the final round for Qatar 2022 qualification.
The five remaining African nations will face off in a two-legged playoff to determine the winner.
The next World Cup, which will be held in the Middle East for the first time, is scheduled to take place between 21 November and 18 December.