5 key lessons from Ghana’s double win against Chad and Madagascar

Coach Otto Addo and his workforce have been vilified for failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and rightly so.

Nonetheless, they’ve received again some love with two essential wins in opposition to Chad and Madagascar within the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The primary recreation in opposition to Chad, extensively thought to be the whipping boys in Group I, was a stroll within the half for the Black Stars.

They thumped Les Sao by 5 unanswered objectives on the Accra Sports activities Stadium on Friday, March 21, 2024. Three days later, they confronted a more durable opponent in Madagascar however put three past the Barea without conceding.

With eight objectives scored in two video games, and two consecutive clear sheets, the Black Stars seemed to have learned from their AFCON shortcomings.

Listed here are 5 issues we discovered at Pulse Ghana within the Black Stars’ final two wins:

1. Improvise based mostly on the opponent

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Tweaking lineups, techniques, recreation strategy and general setup when want be may be very key and was evident in Ghana’s final two matches. Within the Chad recreation, Addo went for a extra offensive strategy.

He began Ernest Nuamah in a sophisticated central midfield function with Thomas Partey taking part in a lone defensive midfield function. 4 attackers accomplished the lineup with Mohammed Kudus, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew, and Antoine Semenyo all beginning up entrance.

Nonetheless, in Morocco, he shifted to a extra defensive strategy to counter the efficiency of the Malagasy assault. He lined up with a 3-5-2 formation – with Kingsley Schindler and Gideon Mensah working as wing-backs. Francis Abu additionally got here in to accomplice Partey in a double pivot, simply to carry off coach Corentin Martins’ aspect.

Sensible stuff from Addo and his technical workforce.

2. Don’t struggle Partey, he’s the workforce’s engine

The gaffer has had challenges with Partey, however one factor is for certain when the Arsenal midfielder is in his components like final evening, he’s merely one of the best in his function on the continent.

Partey retains the clock ticking for the Black Stars and should all the time begin when match. He presents objectives as nicely, and netting a brace in opposition to Madagascar is not any fluke.

3. Captaincy controversies are pointless

There’s no level in making a poisonous ambiance across the nationwide workforce. Traditionally, the Black Stars have all the time had disputes about captaincy.

However, with the workforce in a transition, one factor that may’t be taken without any consideration is creating friction amongst gamers. It’s necessary to comply with the correct hierarchy and provides the captain’s armband to the correct participant.

4. A completely packed Accra Sports activities Stadium will shake any workforce

A hostile Accra Sports Stadium will break down most groups. Therefore, it’s necessary to all the time have the followers on the workforce’s aspect. Anybody who was on the nation’s Wembley for the Chad game can testify to how necessary the ambiance was to the workforce’s full dominance.

5. Benjamin Asare wants extra time

It’s as if a bit of individuals are on a witch hunt for Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare. Always over-analysing and looking for fault with the goalkeeper’s each transfer, albeit he’s but to falter and has held his personal nicely underneath stress.

Sure, he’s not been actually examined, however holding two consecutive clear sheets on his debut nationwide workforce call-up at age 32 continues to be no small feat.

Due to this fact, Addo confirming he’s now the number goalkeeper for the Black Star is refreshing.

Asare has arguably been one of the best shot-stopper in Ghana for the previous two years.

MUST READ: Ayew ready to Partey as Ghana break the Barea of Madagascar with 3 goals

Give him extra time in his publish.