Image copyright: Getty Images
2026 World Cup qualifier
CAF Group I
Ghana v Central African Republic
Baba Yara Stadium
Kumasi, Ghana
Monday, 10 June 2024
Kick-off is at 21h00
Ghana have a chance to claim top spot in Group I for 24 hours at least when they host Central African Republic in a
2026 World Cup qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium on Monday, June 10.
The Black Stars got their qualifying campaign back on track as they came from behind to beat Mali 2-1 in Bamako on June 6 to hand Otto Addo his first competitive win since returning to the helm.
Chris Hughton had picked up three points from his two matches in charge of the national team in November as they laboured to a 1-0 win over Madagascar before suffering a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Comoros.
Addo succeeded Hughton in March after the Ghana Football Association sacked the Brit in the wake of a poor performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations which saw Ghana fail to make it out of the group stages.
Addo's side are tied with the Barea (1st) and the Coelacanths (2nd) on six points after three games, but find themselves in third place on goal difference.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Despite being viewed as favourites to come away with all three points in Kumasi, Addo is wary of the threat posed by the Wild Beasts, who held the Eagles to a 1-1 draw away from home on November 20.
"It's a very, very important game. Like I said from the beginning, we have to take it serious; it's going to be tough," the 49-year-old said in his pre-match press conference.
"Like in the past, I think we had problems when we are the favorites and now it was for us to use these three days to work on solutions on how we can outplay them. Which positions we can take, how we can position ourselves to bring out our biggest strength, especially on our offensive players.
"And I am confident that it will work but action speaks louder than words so we have to see what happens tomorrow. But I hope that we can create a lot of chances and when we do that, we will score."
Central African Republic are still in the picture after a 1-0 win over Chad in Oujda, Morocco took them within two points of the frontrunners in fifth position.
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Raoul Savoy's side have learned valuable lessons from the 4-2 hammering they suffered at the hands of Comoros in Moroni on November 17 and are looking to make it three matches unbeaten in the group.
The two teams met as recently as September when the Black Stars emerged controversial 2-1 victors in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and Savoy is on a revenge mission.
"It will be like every time, with humility, working a lot, because it's an away game," the Swiss tactician said. "We have an opponent with some really good players and a new coach who wants to make his mark.
"My players are ready and eager to do something on Monday ... not forgetting our September game where we played well but lost at the end on a contestable goal. It will be a very close game, and I hope it's our turn to get our revenge."
Head-to-Head (Previous Meetings)
Matches - 2
Ghana wins - 1
CAR wins - 0
Draws - 1
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