The Black Stars drew against Chad at the Olympic Stadium
Many lessons have been learned from the Black Stars‘ underwhelming performance against Chad in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Head coach Otto Addo‘s men started the game on a strong note but lost momentum in the second half, resulting in a 1-1 draw.
This article details the five key takeaways from the Black Stars‘ game against Chad.
General Team Performance
The team began the match with full attacking prowess, bombarding Chad with numerous attacks, but the chances weren’t converted.
It took Kudus Mohammed to take on Chad players in the box and to assist Jordan Ayew for the opener.
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In the second half, the team continued to press for the second goal but was unsuccessful. Their intention to protect the lead in the dying embers of the game backfired when Celestine Ecua equalized.
Kamaldeen Sulemana and Christopher Baah-Bonsu’s energetic performance when they were introduced wasn’t enough to win the game.
Players Who Performed
Despite the lackluster performance, some players stood out.
Benjamin Asare, Accra Hearts of Oak goalkeeper, earned a 7/10 rating as he kept the post intact for most aspects of the game. A deflection led to the only goal he conceded. His distribution was also accurate in the game.
Kudus Mohammed, the Tottenham Hotspur attacker, assisted Jordan Ayew for the first goal but failed to convert the chances that could have doubled the lead, earning a 7/10 rating.
Jordan Ayew once again showed leadership, scoring the only goal for Ghana and being visible in attack. He had the highest rating, with 8/10.
Players Who Underperformed
Gideon Mensah, the experienced left-back, was caught off guard numerous times, giving away possession cheaply and nearly gifting a goal. He received a 4/10 rating.
Salis Samed, the midfielder, failed to control the tempo of the game, allowing Chad to operate freely and win most of the 50/50 balls. He also received a 4/10 rating.
Inaki Williams, the Athletic Bilbao forward’s struggles with the Black Stars continued as he wasn’t sharp and clinical in the game, receiving a 4/10 rating.
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The head coach deployed the 4-3-3 formation with the aim of getting enough goals to secure a win and bolster the team’s chances of qualification.
However, a lack of clinical finishing derailed his tactical plans.
Around the 80th minute, the players sat back to defend their goal, but the plan backfired.
The coach blamed his team’s average performance on the poor condition of the pitch; however, he needs to psyche the players to remain focused throughout in the next game against Mali to avoid another upset.
Thomas Partey’s Absence
Partey sat on the bench for 90 minutes as an unused substitute, despite not being injured.
His absence was a heavy blow to the team, as the midfield was absolutely outplayed.
Salis Samed and Elisha Owusu failed to control the tempo of the game, leaving the defense vulnerable.
Partey is expected to feature prominently in the match against Mali to stabilise the midfield.
SB/JE
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