Ghana deputy skipper Andre Ayew announced Thursday that he and his teammates promise to beat Egypt in the 2nd round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers on Sunday to honor coach Fred Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie who passed away late on Wednesday.
The former Black Stars coach died in a fatal car crash as he was being transferred by ambulance between two hospitals in Ghana, having suffered a mild stroke last month.
"It's sad news and we send our condolences to the entire family," Ayew was quoted as saying on Ghanasoccernet.com.
Egypt will host Ghana in their second Group E game at Borg El-Arab stadium in Alexandria, 13 November in the second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
"We are really sad and we express our condolences to the entire family; we will try to win the game in his honour," the Ghana deputy skipper added.
"Coach Afranie is a big coach whose death means Ghana has lost a great person. He led the Black Queens to qualify for our first ever senior World Cup," Ayew said.
Afranie is best known, however, for leading Ghana to the final of the 2001 World Youth Championship, unearthing players such as Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and John Mensah, who became the senior team's first choice players in their first two qualifications to the World Cup.
"He has coached all our national teams and that is an enviable achievement. He also coached all the big clubs in Ghana, including Kotoko and Hearts," Ayew said.
The Black Stars, who launched their Group E campaign with a disappointing goalless draw at home with Uganda, are second in the group's ranking with one point, two behind leaders Egypt who defeated Congo 2-1.
