The Black Stars of Ghana put up a spirited display to dismiss the bluff of Les Sao of Chad, pummeling them 5-0 in front of an all-roaring and enthusiastic crowd at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday.
It was the first of a double-header in qualifiers to the FIFA 2026 USA, Canada, Mexico World Cup. It was the Black Stars biggest victory in recent times and was enough to power them to the top of Group I of the African qualification.
It was a vintage performance by the Ghanaians who looked resplendent in their yellow attire with Antoine Semenyo easing initial tensions with an early goal in the 2nd minute.
With Chad offering nothing in terms of threats, the Stars were all over them as Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Salisu and Ernest Nuamah all found the back of the net.
Without a single point after the first round of qualifiers, Chad can be said to be down and out but for the Stars, the second and biggest of the double-header lie ahead in Morocco (neutral ground) today where they face second placed, Madagascar, in a dicey game.
Over the years, Madagascar has matured into an adversary for the Ghanaians and today’s game would be no exception, especially knowing a win would see them overtake the Ghanaians at the top.
But morale in Team Ghana appear boosted by Friday’s victory and that also saw an improvement in the team’s play and a desire and hunger for qualification.
The Black Stars showed a clear intention from the very start, aggressively pushing the Les Sao and got an early lead to calm nerves as Semenyo found the back of the net.
That did not slow the Stars down as they kept the pressure on the Chad youngsters. In one of the forays, a ball was floated into the Chad area and was headed home by Inaki Williams while Jordan converted a penalty after Semenyo was whacked down in the box.
In the second half, Mohammed Salisu and Ernest Nuamah scored in the 57th and 69th minutes to increase the tally to down the Les Sao.
The biggest surprise of the day was the bold call by Coach Otto Addo to field Hearts of Oak goalkeeper, Benjamin Asare, in post ahead of his regulars, Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Joojo Wollacott.
Today’s clash with Madagascar would have the dynamics changed because they would offer a much stiffer opposition as they aim to avenge the 1-0 defeat they suffered in the earlier fixture.
With 12 points at the top, Coach Otto Addo and his charges must go all out against the Madagascans who have their eyes fixed on the top spot.
Totally, Ghana and Madagascar have met on five occasions with both sides winning two and drew once.
Coming from the back of a 4-1 away victory over Central Africa Republic (CAR), Madagascar will also be coming full of confidence to repeat the form that gave them success against the Black Stars.
This is the reason why Coach Otto Addo must work on the psyche of the team and get the likes of Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew and other key members of the team to be firing.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
