2026 World Cup Qualifier: Ghana seeks heavy win against Chad to reset
After failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, the Black Stars regroup for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chad tonight at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The senior national team under Otto Addo failed to record a single win during the AFCON qualifiers. The Black Stars finished at the bottom of its group with just three points.
Despite the disappointment, the four-time African champions are determined to change the narrative in 2025 after recording just two wins in 2024 in 10 games played.
The team opened camp on Monday and held a series of training sessions at the Accra Sports Stadium ahead of the game.
On Wednesday, President John Mahama visited the team and encouraged them to forget about the AFCON qualification failure and stay focused ahead of the upcoming games.
“Before you start the qualifiers, let’s put the AFCON debacle behind us and look forward, knowing that we can redeem ourselves. I know that in the World Cup qualifiers, you’re going to redeem yourselves. And if we play well, we will qualify.”
He also stressed the importance of strong performances in winning back the trust and support of Ghanaians.
“Ghanaians will find it in their hearts to come fully behind the team again. And I know you can do it. You’re all talented players. We’re going to continue to support you, not only for the World Cup but beyond. We think that we must build a very strong team.”
Meanwhile, Otto Addo also addressing the press on Thursday insisted that they are ready to deliver a positive result against the Chadians.
“Now we have everything in our own hands which is very important, very good for us and this is really positive. I am very sure we will deliver [against Chad]. I’m not, I can’t call myself [an] expert…I always want to win.”
After the game against Chad tonight, the Black Stars will fly to Morocco for the Matchday six games against Madagascar on Monday.
Ghana must win the upcoming games to strengthen their position in Group I as they seek to compete in the global showpiece for the fifth time in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
