It was at the 2014 World Cup when Ghana had the German national team \u2014 who would later go on to become world champions \u2014 on the brink of defeat. In the sweltering heat of Fortaleza, the African nation even took a 2\u20131 lead at one point. But Miroslav Klose salvaged a point for L\u00f6w\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
But why are we telling you this? After all, it\u2019s ancient history. Yet if you look at the Ghana national team from twelve years ago and compare it with today\u2019s, one name immediately stands out: Ayew. Both Andr\u00e9 and substitute Jordan Ayew featured in 2014. While his brother Andr\u00e9 even got on the scoresheet back then, Jordan will reunite with the DFB team tonight.<\/p>\n
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Germany and Ghana are meeting again in a football match for the first time since the tournament in Brazil \u2014 and Jordan Ayew is still there. The now 34-year-old led his team as captain through the African World Cup qualifiers. With five goal contributions in four matches, he played a major role in Ghana securing another World Cup appearance. In Group L, Otto Addo\u2019s team will face Panama, England and Croatia this summer.<\/p>\n
But Ghana still has plenty of work to do in preparation. On Friday evening, they were thrashed 5\u20131 by Austria. Ghana\u2019s goalscorer: of course, Jordan Ayew. Against the German team, it will now be another tough match, \u201cso we will give our best,\u201d the Ghana captain had already announced at the press conference before the Austria game.<\/p>\n
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Despite the heavy defeat, Julian Nagelsmann does not want to underestimate Ghana. \u201cThey are physically strong, and it\u2019s not that easy to defend all their players in one-on-one situations, especially when we\u2019re talking about the forwards. They are very fast, very agile,\u201d said the Germany coach at the press conference, where he described them as a \u201ctough opponent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Counters must therefore be avoided; instead, Nagelsmann is demanding good man-marking and strong counter-pressing from his team. They also need to avoid giving the ball away so often in the build-up.<\/p>\n
If that does happen, Ayew will be there. And who knows, maybe the striker can do what his brother managed twelve years ago by scoring against the German national team.<\/p>\n