The Black Stars and Central African Republic will square off in what is sure to be an exciting match on Thursday, September 7 at 4 p.m. at the Baba Yara Stadium as both teams compete for a spot in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Coach Chris Hughton is expected to assemble his A-list players, including poster boy Mohammed Kudus and promising youngster, Ernest Nuamah.
Ghana was on track to qualify for the continental tournament until their penultimate group match ended in a scoreless draw with Madagascar, the only team that had already been disqualified.
The outcome prevented what appeared to be their automatic advancement, making the forthcoming match against Les Fauves’ (The Wild Beasts) even more crucial as Group E leaders Ghana, second-placed Angola, and Central African Republic compete for two qualification tickets.
The Black Stars, who have a one-point advantage over Angola and are two points ahead of the Central African Republic, need just a point against Madagascar on Thursday to guarantee their place in the AFCON tournament. However, they must remain vigilant and avoid making a mistake because Angola has the home-field advantage:
The Black Stars have a stronghold at the Baba Yara Stadium; they haven’t lost there in more than 23 years. Their most recent defeat in Kumasi came on February 6, 2000, when South Africa upset them 1-0 in a match in the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations, which Ghana and Nigeria jointly hosted.
The forthcoming game offers the coach the chance to restore the faith of Ghanaians by showcasing his squad’s grit with a resolute showing and a victory. Notwithstanding the hoopla that greeted Coach Hughton’s arrival in March, Ghana’s performance under his management has been average.
Hughton will not find himself wanting for talent to propel the Black Stars to triumph. Players such as Kudus, the latest addition to West Ham United, and teenage sensation Nuamah from Lyon, along with Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, and Antoine Semenyo are all exhibiting improved form and are available for selection.
However, the gaffer faces challenges due to injuries to key players like Daniel-Kofi Kyerch, Gideon Mensah, goalkeeper Joojo Wollacott and Salis Abdul Samed, who have sustained setbacks during the start of the European football season.
The match carries added significance for both sides.
Ghana are favourites to guarantee a 10th consecutive AFCON berth, while Coach Raoul Savoy will be eyeing an upset and a piece of history by guiding his team to a rare win in Kumasi to secure their first-ever AFCON appearance.
He will rely on former France U-20 star, Geoffrey Kondogbia, and forward, Louis Mafouta, the leading scorer in Group E with four goals, to help their bid to disrupt Ghana’s aspirations.
