Ghana’s Murky Stars and their embattled Head Coach, Otto Addo, face a defining moment as they return to motion in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, realizing that something short of victory could spell catastrophe.
On Friday, the Murky Stars host Chad on the Accra Sports actions Stadium in a must-earn conflict, realizing that a traipse-up could form their hopes of returning to soccer’s grandest stage â the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup, which offers Africa 9 qualification spots â extra annoying.
For a team bruised by their gruesome failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Worldwide locations (AFCON) â their first absence from the continental showpiece in two decades â and a coach strolling a tightrope after benefit-to-benefit failures, this World Cup marketing campaign is Ghana’s closing shot at redemption.
However for the coach, who has survived the sack, it is mighty extra than comely qualificationâit is about saving his job and restoring religion in a team that has been in free descend.
Otto Addo, who has by some means survived the sack no subject presiding over Ghana’s disastrous AFCON qualification marketing campaign, effectively know that something no longer as much as three factors against Group I’s whipping boys could push him to the brink.
This afternoon he’ll lead his avid gamers to start coaching on the Accra Sports actions Stadium and honest-tune their ways for the upcoming matches.
Crew in crisis
Ghana for the time being sit down 2nd in the community with 9 factors, stage with leaders Comoros however trailing on impartial distinction.On the opposite hand, their abysmal fresh form is a motive for subject.
The Murky Stars didn’t earn a single match in the AFCON qualifiers and suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat to Niger the closing time they played on the Accra Sports actions Stadium.
That bitter loss shattered their AFCON dreams, leaving fans infected and questioning the team’s direction.
Otto Addo and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) like since scrambled to form modifications, revamping the technical bench in a determined strive to salvage the World Cup marketing campaign.
The coach has entrusted ragged ahead Jordan Ayew with the captain’s armband, while the GFA has brought in experienced German tactician Wilfried Schäfer and rising Ghanaian coach Desmond Osei as assistant coaches, amongst assorted appointments.
No room for error
Chad, rock bottom of the community with out a single point, could well simply no longer appear to pose a predominant risk on paper. However with nothing to lose, they would arrangement inspiration from Ghana’s fragile confidence and spring a shock.
The Murky Stars must ability this game with ruthless intent, especially with any other fixture against Madagascar in Morocco looming on Monday.
The stress on Otto Addo is tremendous. Something no longer as much as a commanding victory could flip up the warmth on the under-fire coach, whose credibility is already in tatters.
A predominant setback for Ghana has been accidents to 12 key avid gamers, severely limiting Addo’s options. On the opposite hand, the return of Antoine Semenyo, Thomas Partey, and Kamaldeen Sulemana offers a glimmer of hope.
The team can even sight to Mohammed Kudus, whose club form has been inconsistent however remains Ghana’s most unhealthy playmaker when in plump circulation.
No subject by no manner having met Chad in a competitive match, the Murky Stars can not manage to pay for to underestimate their opponents. Addo must rep his ways space on, guaranteeing that Ghana no longer very most attention-grabbing wins however does so in an emphatic vogue.
Offer: Graphic Sports actions
