Ghana must beat Chad in tomorrow's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. It is non-negotiable. It is not arrogance. It is not disrespect of Chad. It is the plain truth. The Black Stars do not have to be at the World Cup if at home, we cannot win against Chad.
Already, Ghana is in quite a favourable position to qualify despite Madagascar leapfrogging us after their win yesterday. Overcoming Chad, which is Friday’s big assignment at the Accra Sports Stadium would brighten our chances of qualifying for the global football fiesta to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Chad is without question the weakest team in our group now. The Black Stars themselves may have been weak, failing to win a single game in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. The coach, Otto Addo and his players disappointed the country, we are leaving all that in past to focus on what lies ahead. They must not fail us.
A lot has happened between now and the last time the Black Stars played. The technical team has been reinforced with more brains – the Black Satellites Coach, Desmond Offei and the much-experienced German trainer, Winfred Schaffer. The two have joined Otto Addo in preparing the players for Friday’s task.
From nine players arriving early to having the full complement of the squad, the team has had open and closed sessions of training, ensuring that what needs to be done tactically and technically are done. Frequent visits to the team, very typical of us, have also not been in short supply.
From journalists to ex-Black Stars players to top officials of the Ghana Football Association to personnel of the National Sports Authority to the Sports and Recreation Ministry up to the seat of government, all who matter in our football, have visited the Black Stars at training.
The First Gentleman of the land, President John Mahama was with the team yesterday. He told them that if they can win the next two games, Ghanaians will be ready to let go the AFCON pain. The President is right. Otto Addo and his charges must beat Chad for us to be cheerful and hopeful of a fifth World Cup appearance.