Can Chris Hughton qualify Black Stars to 2026 World Cup?
Eight months after he was ushered into office, Black Stars Coach Chris Hughton, still appears to be having nightmares about the job. After taking over from coach Otto Addo after a disastrous world cup campaign where he was the technical advisor, Mr Hughton is yet to have a stronghold on the Black Stars.
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After three wins, two draws and two losses including a recent nightmarish campaign in the US where the Stars were battered 4-0 by the United States and 2-0 by Mexico, fans are demanding for the blood of the Brit who is of Ghanaian descent.
What is more worrying is that after conceding three goals in his first five games as Black Stars coach, Chris Hughton's side has now let in six goals in their last two games.
The Black Stars will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers from November 13 to 21 when they host Madagascar at home and travel away to Comoros respectively.
Many are wondering if the stars can secure a ticket to the 2026 world cup considering their performances. The answer is not far-fetched.
Before the world cup, in three months to come the Black Stars will start their AFCON campaign in Cote d’lvoire; the team have not won the African Cup of Nations in over four decades.
As things look bleak right now and on the evidence of recent performances, it is right to suggest that it is unlikely for the team to win next year’s AFCON.
Veteran coach J.E. Sarpong put it succinctly in a recent interview when he retorted that it will take a miracle for the Black Stars to win the AFCON based on lack of quality and the team’s recent poor showing.
Black Stars in the past decade
For the past 10 years and more, the Black Stars have only existed in name.
The team has not won two matches in a row. Successive administrations of the FA have resorted to the lazy approach of relying on players who ply their trade in Europe and Asia instead of building a strong team from the scratch.
The downside to this is what we are getting from the poor display on the pitch and anguish and pain for supporters.
As for building a team from the scratch with a clear philosophy, we haven’t made any such attempt, not even a proposal on paper.
Can Ghana qualify to USA 2026
It is going to be a herculean task for the Black Stars despite the increase in the slot given to Africa by FIFA from five to nine with an additional one in a play-off.
The Black Stars must gird their loins and reset their priorities if they wish to play in the 2026 world cup. Coach Hughton must sit up
Hughton's record as Ghana coach — W3, L2, D2
23/03/23 - Ghana 1 - 0 Angola
27/03/23 - Angola 1 - 1 Ghana
18/06/23 - Madagascar 0 - 0 Ghana
07/09/23 - Ghana 2 - 1 Central African Republic
12/09/23 - Ghana 3 - 1 Liberia
14/10/23 - Mexico 2 - 0 Ghana
17/10/23 - United States 4 - 0 Ghana