Ghana this evening play host to the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the African Cup of Nations qualifier opener at the Cape Coast stadium.

It  well be an intriguing spectacle to see seasoned internationals battle for their respective motherlands as the game kicks off.

The South African side are under the tutelage of a relatively inexperienced coach at this stage despite his almost twenty years in coaching which most of them was as an assistant coach.

Ghana's Kwasi Appiah who also took similar steps as Ntseki as an assistant before getting the job is under intense pressure to perform after Ghana's round of 16 exit at the Afcon.

Here we look at some key clashes

1. Bongani Zungu vs Thomas Partey

Partey is the successor to Michael Essien in Ghana’s defensive midfield.

The Atletico Madrid star shares a number of his predecessor’s qualities‚ not least the ability to challenge with a force that makes onlookers fear for the coninued existence of the opponent’s bones.

He also has an ability to find direct passes from deep that turn defence into attack.

Amiens SC star Zungu showed all his class for Bafana reaching the Egypt 2019 quarterfinals‚ including a masterclass display as SA shocked hosts Egypt.

Box-to-box midfielder Zungu‚ skilful and no slouch physically either‚ will come into direct contact with Partey in what should be a crunching encounter.

2. Percy Tau vs Kasim Nuhu

SA’s most exciting attacking talent Tau has made a bright start in a European top-flight league for Club Brugge this season‚ including matching his skills and pace against giants in the Uefa Champions League.

With Metz defender John Boye out injured‚ his Nations Cup central defensive partner Nuhu will take up the leadership of Ghana’s back four against Bafana.

He competes at a high level on loan at the Bundesliga’s newly-promoted Fortuna Dusseldorf‚ but Tau can give just about any centreback nightmares when he’s on song.

3. Andre and Jordan Ayew vs Thulani Hlatshwayo and Buhle Mkhwanazi

Ghana’s disappointing Nations Cup in Egypt has put pressure on Appiah to begin rebuilding‚ and perhaps start discarding some of the stars of the generation who lost on penalties to Ivory Coast in the 2015 Afcon final.

Ghana legend Abedi Pele Ayew’s most prominent son‚ Andre (Swansea City)‚ goes further back than that.

He was a star in the Ba-Ghana Ba-Ghana combination who lost on penalties to Uruguay in a heartbreaking 2010 World Cup quarterfinal at Soccer City.

Jordan Ayew was not in the 2010 squad‚ only making his international debut in September 2010‚ but has notched 56 caps and 15 goals since.

The strike partnership (Andre can also play on the left) remain the most influential cog and destructive influence for the Black Stars.

SA’s centreback partnership‚ the Bidvest Wits pairing of Hlatshwayo and Mkhwanazi‚ were never overawed against some classy attacks at Egypt 2019.

They will be severely tested by the world-class skills‚ touches‚ and running into spaces of the Ayews.