Ghana readies for Egypt with Kevin-Prince Boateng's health in doubt

Ghana's Black Stars on Monday voiced confidence ahead of their 2014 World Cup play-off against Egypt next week, but the health of star midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng of Schalke remained uncertain.

"We are waiting for a doctor's report," Ghana Football Association spokesman Ibrahim Sani Dara told journalists at an open training session, which included a visit from the country's President John Dramani Mahama.

Boateng suffered a knee injury after scoring in Schalke's match against Augsburg on October 5.

His absence from the Black Stars line-up for the October 15 match would add to Ghana's injury troubles after regulars John Boye, Mohammed Rabiu and Jonathan Mensah have been ruled out.

But Arsenal's Emmanuel Frimpong described the club as "relaxed" and keenly aware of the stakes ahead of the match in Kumasi.

"We know how important the game is," the midfielder said.

Ghana's president offered support during a brief visit to the training grounds in the capital Accra.

"Let's focus on this match," Mahama said. "Let's defeat them."

Association spokesman Dara restated Ghana's concerns about playing the second leg of the playoff, which is set for November 19, in Cairo following the latest clashes between supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi and the security forces.

"We don't want to lose any Ghanaian lives (and) we don't want to lose any Egyptian lives just because of a football match," Dara said.

Ghana has sent a strongly-worded letter to FIFA requesting the match be moved to "a safe and secure venue".