Ghana sets sights on victory against Comoros
Ghana's nail-biting 1-0 victory against Madagascar last Friday showcased the team’s resilience and raised the hopes of Ghanaians that the team can rise to the occasion when pushed to the wall in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying competition.
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This evening, Coach Chris Hughton and his charges face another test against Comoros in Malouzini, a clash that could further shape Ghana's World Cup journey.
This match holds added significance as it offers the Black Stars an opportunity for redemption following Comoros' 3-2 upset victory in the AFCON last year, which led to Ghana's premature exit from the tournament.
Buoyed by the confidence gained from the previous win, Coach Hughton aims to harness positive momentum in today's Group One encounter at the Stade Malouzini, scheduled to kick off at 7:00 pm.
Full-strength squad
Despite the absence of experienced centre-back, Daniel Amartey, who has been sidelined due to an injury from the last match, Coach Hughton will field a full-strength team, seeking a second consecutive win in the qualifiers.
The recent victory has not only eased the pressure on Coach Hughton but also provided relief to the team amid heightened scrutiny over their performance. The Irish gaffer acknowledges the challenge posed by Comoros, highlighting the difficulty of playing on their demanding pitch.
"Comoros will not be an easy game; they play on a difficult pitch. But when you score in the manner we did, then we will take that momentum into the Comoros game and hope it will see us in good stead," he admitted.
This encounter marks the fourth meeting between the Black Stars and the Coelacanths, with their previous encounters resulting in a victory for each side and a draw. Comoros' triumph in the last AFCON serves as a reminder of the formidable opposition Ghana faces tonight.
While Coach Hughton boasts an unbeaten record against African opponents, tonight's away match presents a formidable challenge, as his team have yet to secure an away win this year.
Striker Inaki Williams, the standout performer in the Madagascar encounter, has got his confidence back and could become the focal point of Coach Hughton's strategy.
The Spain-based player displayed his potential with a crucial injury-time winner, with the coach expressing confidence that with the right support from teammates, Williams can be the consistent goal-scoring force that the Black Stars desperately need. This evening the forward is expected to make the starting line-up and will be looking forward to adding to his tally against Comoros.
With Amartey out, the coach is expected to pair Nicholas Opoku with Kasim Nuhu Adams at the heart of the team's defence.
Also, midfielder Majeed Ashimeru who put up an impressive performance as a second-half substitute, could start today to give the team creativity and more thrust in midfield alongside poster boy, Mohammed Kudus, with experienced Jordan Ayew and Williams operating from the wings to create chances for lead striker, Antoine Semenyo.
Richard Ofori is expected to retain his position between the sticks as team captain, with Denis Odoi likely to be chosen ahead of Seidu Alidu at the right-back position while Gideon Mensah looks a sure starter after his impressive performance and providing an assist in the victory against Madagascar.
High stakes
This high-stakes encounter holds significant promise for both sides as a win for either side would consolidate their lead on top of the group log while a draw would keep Comoros on top on goal difference.
Comoros may not boast marquee names but have very effective players with experience in Europe's top leagues, including Adel Mahamoud of FC Nantes and Myziane Maouda of Hertha BSC, as well as home-based players such as Bakari Said, Mahamed Youssouf, Aymeric Ahmed, Kassim HadjiAlfonsi Haslane and Abdel Akim Abdallah who form the base of Coach Stefano Cusin team who will be aiming for another opportunity to establish their authority over the Black Stars on home soil to keep their World Cup dreams alive.