Ghana hopes to seal direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup as they make the trip to Meknes to face hosts Central African Republic on Wednesday for Matchday nine of the qualifying series in Africa.
The Black Stars sit top of Group I with 19 points, three clear of second-placed Madagascar, and will aim to take another decisive step towards automatic qualification with victory over their opponents.
Maximum points would all but confirm Ghana’s place at the mundial, but would still require favorable results elsewhere to make that dream certain. Comoros face Madagascar at about the same time the Black Stars square off with CAR, and any slip-up from Barea could see Ghana secure a fifth appearance on the global stage in a campaign that has seen only a few blemishes.
Otto Addo’s men have triumphed in six of their eight World Cup qualifiers, with the exceptions being a 1-0 loss to Comoros on Matchday two and a 1-1 draw against Chad in the opening fixture of September’s double header. Ghana returned to winning ways four days later with a 1-0 victory over Mali in Accra, taking their goal tally to 17 – the most in their bracket – while they have conceded only six.
The year 2024 has generally been a positive one for Ghana, who have claimed four wins in six games during that period, with one draw and one loss. Maximum points are expected on Wednesday, especially against a side with nothing left to play for.
With hopes of reaching the mundial already extinguished, CAR have only pride to fight for and will look to give Ghana a run for their money once more after their thrilling 4-3 defeat in Kumasi in the reverse fixture.
While Les Fauves will aim to take something from another spirited display, they head into this encounter on the back of five defeats in their last six matches across all competitions, failing to find the net in the most recent five.
CAR’s only victory in the qualifiers came in a 1-0 success over Chad in June 2024, one of just two occasions they have kept a clean sheet in the campaign – a reflection of their struggles to stay tight at the back.
The Central Africans have conceded 17 goals – the second most in Group I – though they have managed eight at the other end and will hope that counts for something on Wednesday as they attempt to end an eight-match winless run across all competitions.
Captain Jordan Ayew has scored 6 goals in the qualifiers and leads a bunch of experienced and young lads who are determined to make yet another World Cup appearance. The likes of Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Alexander Djiku, Gideon Mensah and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku are poised to win the encounter to make a statement, having missed out on qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 16:00 GMT at the Stade d’Honneur Meknès in Meknes, Morocco.
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