By Bright Jnr, AhotorSports
March 19, 2025
As Ghana prepares to face Chad in their upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifier, there’s an uneasy feeling brewing among fans and analysts alike. The Black Stars, a team with a storied footballing legacy, find themselves at a crossroads.
Chad, widely regarded as the weakest side in Group I, Ghana’s group, and currently ranked 176th on the FIFA Power Rankings, might seem like an easy scalp on paper. The highest they have gone the Power Rankings was 97 in 2016.
They have lost all their opening four games in the series conceding nine goals and scored just one. Les São rather had a qualifying round of games to forget when they drew only two and lost the rest of the six games of the 2025 African Cup of Nations which they ended up not qualifying—drawing parallel with Ghana’s fate in the competition.
Expanding the conversation on their performance a bit more, Chad have ONLY three (3) wins from twenty-four (24) competitive games since 2019. However, underestimating them could prove costly—and that’s a risk Ghana cannot afford to take.
Let’s keep it short and real: Chad might not boast household names or a glittering trophy cabinet, but their lack of spotlight could be their strength. Teams like this, with relatively unknown players, often thrive when they play as a cohesive unit.
They dig in, defend deep, and frustrate opponents who expect a walkover. Ghana has seen this script before—overlooking so-called minnows only to stumble. The Black Stars must not let history repeat itself.
The chatter around this matchup is that almost everyone has written Chad off. That’s dangerous. Yes, Ghana has the talent, the pedigree, and the home advantage at the Accra Sports Stadium. But talent alone doesn’t win games.
It’s the mentality that matters. The “guy guy” and “burger” egos—the swagger that sometimes borders on arrogance—need to be buried. This isn’t a game for showboating; it’s a battle that demands grit.
Ghana must approach this clash like wounded lions and head coach Otto Addo must orchestrate such a plan. Picture it: a predator, battered but not broken, attacking with raw anger, hunger, and a relentless will to survive.
That’s the energy the Black Stars need to bring. After missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations—a gut punch for a nation that’s been a continental powerhouse for decades—the stakes are sky-high. Every qualifier is a step toward redemption, and Chad is not a team to toy with.
So, what’s the game plan? First, Ghana needs to press high and break Chad’s early rhythm. A tight-knit unit thrives on confidence—disrupt that, and cracks will appear.
Second, the midfield, likely anchored by Thomas Partey, must dictate the tempo and feed the likes of Mohammed Kudus with precision. The boys must be decisive in whatever pattern or system of plan tLastly, the defense can’t afford lapses; Chad might not have prolific scorers, but one moment of sloppiness could haunt Ghana.
This isn’t just about three points—it’s about pride. The Black Stars have a chance to show they’re still a force, that the wounds of recent setbacks have only made them fiercer.
With a promise start, Ghana have notched up three wins—edging Mali 2-1, overpowering the Central African Republic 4-3, and scraping past Madagascar 1-0—alongside a single loss to Comoros (1-0), amassed 9 points, sitting third prior to kick off on Friday.
Chad might be the underdog, but Ghana must play like the hunted, not the hunter. Wounded lions don’t mess around. It’s time to roar.
