Former Ghana international Dan Quaye has urged the Black Stars to wake-up from slumber
Former Ghana international Dan Quaye has urged the Black Stars to wake-up from their recent slumber in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as they gear up for the crunch Mali clash.
The West African football heavyweights’ hopes of securing early qualification to the mundial suffered a minor setback following a disappointing 1-1 draw in N’Djamena against Chad on Thursday.
Ghana were two minutes away from securing a crucial away victory before the host struck through Ecua Celestin to cancel Jordan Ayew’s first half goal.
The draw keeps Ghana top of Group I but now faces a stern competition from Madagascar, Mali and Comoros in the qualification bid.
In a high-stake clash on Monday, September 8, 2025, Ghana will play host to the Eagles of Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium, with victory crucial to the teams’ qualification chances.
Speaking to Koforidua-based Bryt FM, the former Hearts of Oak defender took a swipe at the players, while urging them to wake-up ahead of the crucial Mali tie.
“Honestly, the players were poor against Chad. Defensively, we were not good at all. The players should give us a break. We’ve seen great players in the Black Stars. Ghana is bigger than these players, they should wake up ahead of the Mali game” he said.
Currently, the West African football heavyweights sit top of Group I, accumulating 16 points after seven matches, followed by Madagascar (13 points), Mali (12), Comoros (12 points), Central African Republic (5), with Chad securing just a point.
The Black Stars will finalise their 2026 World Cup qualification with games against the Central African Republic and Comoros in October 2025.
