The Ghana Black Stars will open their campaign to the 2026 FIFA World Cup stage with an opening qualifying game against the Barea of Madagascar at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium today.
It is a fact known to many football analysts that the Black Stars have experienced a slight dip in form and come into this match on the back of two consecutive losses against Mexico and the United States last month, in friendlies.
Ghana failed to find the net even once in the two matches played away from home, but conceded six goals.
But, back on home soil, at the Baba Yara stadium, the hosts will be full of confidence following their excellent home record.
In 2014, Ghana ‘destroyed’ the Pharaohs of Egypt 6-1 in the last World Cup qualifier at the venue; and then in 2012, they beat Lesotho 7-0.
On that basis, the Black Stars are heavily tipped to get off to a winning start, and are favourites to top the group, which also features the Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros and Mali.
Mr Frederick Acheampong, an Executive Committee Member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), speaking on a local radio station here yesterday, expressed confidence in the team to win the game.
According to him, the two matches, against Madagascar and Comoros ‘are winnables’.
Mr Acheampong, popularly called, ‘Achie’, therefore, entreated all fans to throng the stadium to cheer the team on to victory.
Despite being one of the most decorated nations on the continent, Ghana has dropped form in recent years. She is 11th placed among all African nations, according to FIFA’s points systems.
The Blacks Stars have brought three goalkeepers, Lawrence Ati Zigi, Jojo Wollacot and Richard Ofori for this game.
But many football fans believe Ati-Zigi would keep the post and also not sure Andre Dede Ayew, who has been short of match time in recent months, could feature 90 minutes.
Madagascar, on the other hand, had a bad AFCON qualification run, finishing at the bottom of their group with just three points and failed to win any of their six matches in the competition.
But, their performance in those qualifiers were very impressive. They claimed a 2-1 win over Benin in a friendly last month to end a five-match winless streak.
Some football enthusiasts believe the visitors will be defeated, referencing the host’s 3-0 victory over the visitors in the 2023 AFCON qualifier at the Cape Coast stadium.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
