The Black Stars of Ghana put up a spirited show to dismiss the bluff of Les Sao of Chad, pummeling them 5-0 in entrance of an all-roaring and enthusiastic crowd on the Accra Sports activities Stadium on Friday.
It was the primary of a double-header in qualifiers to the FIFA 2026 USA, Canada, Mexico World Cup. It was the Black Stars largest victory in latest occasions and was sufficient to energy them to the highest of Group I of the African qualification.
It was a classic efficiency by the Ghanaians who seemed resplendent of their yellow apparel with Antoine Semenyo easing preliminary tensions with an early purpose within the 2nd minute.
With Chad providing nothing by way of threats, the Stars had been throughout them as Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Salisu and Ernest Nuamah all discovered the again of the online.
With out a single level after the primary spherical of qualifiers, Chad may be mentioned to be down and out however for the Stars, the second and largest of the double-header lie forward in Morocco (impartial floor) as we speak the place they face second positioned, Madagascar, in a dicey recreation.
Through the years, Madagascar has matured into an adversary for the Ghanaians and as we speak’s recreation can be no exception, particularly understanding a win would see them overtake the Ghanaians on the prime.
However morale in Workforce Ghana seem boosted by Friday’s victory and that additionally noticed an enchancment within the workforce’s play and a need and starvation for qualification.
The Black Stars confirmed a transparent intention from the very begin, aggressively pushing the Les Sao and bought an early result in calm nerves as Semenyo discovered the again of the online.
That didn’t gradual the Stars down as they stored the strain on the Chad kids. In one of many forays, a ball was floated into the Chad space and was headed house by Inaki Williams whereas Jordan transformed a penalty after Semenyo was whacked down within the field.
Within the second half, Mohammed Salisu and Ernest Nuamah scored within the 57th and 69th minutes to extend the tally to down the Les Sao.
The largest shock of the day was the daring name by Coach Otto Addo to discipline Hearts of Oak purposekeeper, Benjamin Asare, in put up forward of his regulars, Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Joojo Wollacott.
Right this moment’s conflict with Madagascar would have the dynamics modified as a result of they’d provide a a lot stiffer opposition as they intention to avenge the 1-0 defeat they suffered within the earlier fixture.
With 12 factors on the prime, Coach Otto Addo and his costs should go all out in opposition to the Madagascans who’ve their eyes mounted on the highest spot.
Completely, Ghana and Madagascar have met on 5 events with each side profitable two and drew as soon as.
Coming from the again of a 4-1 away victory over Central Africa Republic (CAR), Madagascar may also be coming filled with confidence to repeat the shape that gave them success in opposition to the Black Stars.
That is the explanation why Coach Otto Addo should work on the psyche of the workforce and get the likes of Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew and different key members of the workforce to be firing.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
