2026 World Cup qualifiers: Ghana face must-win clash against Chad in Accra

Ghana’s Black Stars face a high-stakes match when they welcome Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday night in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

With crucial victories by Madagascar and Mali, Ghana are in a do-or-die situation to revive their World Cup ambitions.

With the passionate home crowd behind them, Otto Addo’s squad must rise to the occasion and snatch all three points against a Chad squad keen to play spoilers.

What is at stake?

Ghana’s qualification journey has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by moments of brilliance followed by disappointing setbacks.

 

Although the Black Stars have demonstrated resilience in recent outings in the World Cup qualifiers, their current standing in the group table demands utmost focus, leaving no margin for error.

Before Ghana’s match, the standings in Group I did not make for good reading, with the first place qualification spot being occupied by Madagascar and Comoros in third, who were facing the wounded lions of the group, Mali, 24hrs before Ghana play Chad.

However, the final whistle on the eve of Ghana’s clash against Chad gave the crestfallen Black Stars players a new lease of life and belief, at least for another week.

Perhaps the most surprising result in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers was what panned out in Morocco as Comoros were mauled 3-0 by Mail, who were backing quietly in the group.

What the win does, in terms of the permutations is, blows Group I wide open, with numerous possibilities heading into the final round of games: Madagascar sits at the summit with 10 points, Comoros are third with nine points, while Mali are third with eighth. Ghana are second of the pile with nine points and will go top of the group with a win tonight against the group’s whipping boys, Chad.

The Black Stars need to be clinical in front of goal and also avoid complacency since any vulnerability here can prove terminal.

The Teams form in the world qualifiers 

Otto Addo’s men return to action in the World Cup qualifiers, where they have won three of their four matches in Group I, seeing off Madagascar, Mali, and the Central African Republic.

The Black Stars’ only defeat in the qualifiers came in November 2023, when they were beaten 1-0 by Comoros at the Stade de Moroni courtesy of a first-half strike from 26-year-old forward Myziane Maolida.

Chad, on the other hand, returns to action in the World Cup qualifying race in desperate need of a spirit-lifting result as they find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Group I standings, having lost each of their four games so far.

Having suffered consecutive defeats against Mali and Madagascar in November 2023, Les Sao fell to a narrow 1-0 loss against Central African Republic in June 2024, one week before losing 2-0 at the hands of Comoros at the Stade Municipal Oujda.

Chad’s poor performance in the qualifiers has been in no small part owing to their lack of cutting edge in attack, where they have netted just one goal so far while shipping nine at the opposite end of the pitch — only Mauritania are yet to register a goal in the qualifiers.

Chad’s dismal form has provided Ghanaian fans and pundits with a renewed sense of optimism.

Renowned Ghanaian sports journalist Owuraku Ampofo is optimistic that the Black Stars will break their 9-month winless streak when they face Chad in today’s World Cup qualifier.

” I’m positive Ghana will beat Chad.”@_owurakuampofo is hopeful the Black Stars will end their 9-month winless run against Chad in Friday’s World Cup qualifier.#3Sports #Sunrise pic.twitter.com/uNQEBbrQld

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) March 21, 2025

However, Michael Oti Adjei, General Manager of MG, strikes a cautionary note, expressing his concern that several of Ghana’s key players have underperformed in recent matches.

He hopes for a turnaround as the Black Stars aim to break their six-game winless streak in competitive fixtures.

Too many of Ghana’s top players have not showed up in recent Black Stars matches.

@OtiAdjei hopes for changes as the Black Stars seek to end a run of six competitive games without a win#3Sports pic.twitter.com/5l1paHmUyK

— #3Sports (@3SportsGh) March 21, 2025

Team News

Ghana has received a significant boost with the return of Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey to the national team, marking the end of his six-month injury layoff.

The Arsenal midfielder’s inclusion headlines the Black Stars’ 23-man squad, which also features notable players such as Mohammed Salisu, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, and Antoine Semenyo.

Additionally, coach Otto Addo has handed debut call-ups to Genk winger Christopher Bonsu Baah and three home-based players: Kamaradini Mamudu, Razak Simpson, and Benjamin Asare.

As for Chad, head coach Gardia has named a 25-man squad for March’s qualifying games against Ghana and Comoros, with the majority of the players selected from domestic clubs.

AS PS have contributed 14 of the 25, including Abdoulaye Mahamat, Allarabaye Yves, and Mahamat Abakar, while only Tajikistan-based goalkeeper Mbaynaissem Jourdain and Castuera midfielder Mahamat Thiam Maintah have been selected from foreign clubs.

What the Coaches Said

Ghana’s coach, Otto Addo, has called for calm and understanding from fans, emphasizing that the team is currently undergoing a rebuilding process and needs time to gel and find its rhythm.

“I’m almost 50. To say that I’m a new Otto Addo, I’ve never said this. I didn’t say this. I know that I said it was a new era, a new beginning. I’m a person who is always learning. No matter if I win or lose, I’m always eager to learn; always eager to prove myself. I know that surely when we lose, everybody will ask, What did I learn?
I always try to improve myself, improve the team, and look at the areas we can improve.”

Possible Lineups

Ghana

Ati Zigi; Gideon Mensah, Dijku, Salisu, Mamudu Kamaradin; Partey, Kudus, Nuamah; Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Ayew

Chad

Jourdain; Abderamane, Felix, H Abakar, Allaramadji; Maintah, Allarabaye Yves, Lingar, Abderamane; Yannick, Goukoui

Ghana will be licking their lips as they take on an inexperienced Chad side who have failed to win their last 11 matches across all competitions. Given the gap in quality and depth between the two sides, we are backing the Black Stars to come away with a comfortable victory in Accra.

Chad, on the other hand, are underdogs, but they will seek to capitalize on any pressure that is on the hosts.

Chad, although not as hyped, has shown tenacity in their campaign. Their defense as a cohesive unit and counter-attacking ability can give Ghana woes if the latter cannot wear them down early.

Prediction

Ghana 2-0 Chad

Source: 3news.com