Call the Black Stars of Ghana late win over Madagascar on Friday in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier a narrow escape and one would not be far from right.
Despite the team’s low output in recent outings, Ghanaians remained expectant, perhaps due to the stakes of the game – a ticket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
And with the likes of Comoros and Mali enjoying outstanding starts, Ghana was expected to put up a show to crash the Barea to plunge the Kumasi township into all-night partying.
But the atmosphere was the opposite as local fans endured a torrid first half torture as Madagascar run riot and wasted several opportunities.
There was a bit of a breather in the second half when the Stars lifted their game and faced the visitors squarely but also lived dangerously at certain times.
And when all hope seemed lost, courage, confidence, expectation and optimism surfaced from the unlikeliest of sources – Inaki Williams who out-jumped a marker to head home the only goal of the match with about 25 seconds left.
That gave the Black Stars the impetus to rub shoulders with Mali and Comoros who recorded more convincing wins in their respective clashes by virtue of earning the same points irrespective of the size of the score.
The much important win notwithstanding, Ghanaian fans remain edgy about the Black Stars ability to qualify for the showpiece scheduled for the USA, Canada and Mexico.
This is the orientation Chris Hughton and his charges must seek to shape today when the Black Stars line up on the Moroni Stadium pitch to confront Comoros in a match day two qualifier.
The Islanders posted a 4-2 victory over the Central African Republic (CAR) in an entertaining encounter.
And what thrilled the fans was the team’s potency upfront as M’Dahoma (29th minute), Youssouf (50th minute), Said (58th minute) and Maolida (67th minute) banged in the goals with relative ease.
It also proved that the team’s recent form on the continent is no fluke.
In their last six qualifying games in both AFCON and World Cup, Comoros defeated Cape Verde 2-0 away from home and drew 1-1 with the Chipolopolo of Zambia.
After that, they suffered consecutive losses to Malawi (2-1) and Zambia (2-0) in a second leg encounter.
However, Les Coelacantes bounced back strongly to chalk two major wins away from their favourite home turf, defeating Seychelles 3-0 and Lesotho 1-0.
The clash against Ghana would be one that the Comorians would hope to make a strong statement of intent as far as their quest to make a World Cup appearance was concerned.
And having started so well, coming against a struggling Ghana side would provide them the needed motivation to cause what may perhaps, be the biggest upset in the group.
Despite the storm around the Stars, it would be way too early to throw hands in despair.
The slim win over Madagascar may not be one the fans anticipated but having gradually become a ‘Wonder Club’ of their own – performing when the odds are stuck against them, Hughton and his charges could find their rhythm in subsequent games; starting with Comoros.
As an emerging force on the football scene at the continental level, the path of the Black Stars and Barea has crossed on just three occasions with both sides winning one and drawing the other.
The winner of the clash would surely get the edge over the other and brighten their chances on the table.
Having ended his national team goal drought, one would hope the floodgates would remain opened for Inaki Williams to replicate his Atletico Madrid display by banging the goals for the Black Stars.
The game scheduled for 4pm Mauritania officials Bouh Abdel Aziz as Referee, Diba Hamedine and Youssef Mohamed Mahmoud as Assistants I&II, Diou Moussa Alassane, Fourth Official, Efong Nzolo Jérôme – Gabon, Referees Assessor and Shongwe William Makinati from Eswatini, Match Commissioner.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
