Ghana, Comoros renew acquaintances in Group I
Both teams will be hoping to make it two wins from two in World Cup qualifying when Comoros host Ghana on Tuesday.
Comoros defeated Central African Republic 4-2 on Friday, while Ghana beat Madagascar 1-0.
After seeing their fellow East African islanders push Ghana hard in the opening round of fixtures, Comoros will retain genuine belief of causing a major upset against the Black Stars on Tuesday.
COMOROS
Having only become a FIFA member in 2005, the Coelacanths have never qualified for a World Cup before. In fact, their win against CAR was their first ever victory in World Cup qualifying. Younes Zerdouk‘s side scored two own goals during the encounter, but came from behind to earn an impressive win.
Comoros actually qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time at the most recent tournament in Cameroon last year, with their historic win against Ghana taking them through to the first knockout stage at their opponents’ expense. They were beaten 2-1 by the hosts after putting in an excellent display.
Clearly, Zerdouk’s side have nothing to fear when they face Ghana once again in Moroni, as they look to maintain their position at the top of Group I.
Indeed, that defeat to Comoros was one of the lowest points in Ghana’s history, as the four-time AFCON champions crashed out at the group stage for the first time since 2006.
GHANA
Ghana have made it to four of the last five World Cup’s since qualifying for their first ever World Cup in that year, meaning head coach Chris Hughton will firmly be expected to maintain their impressive record in that regard. The former Brighton & Hove Albion boss took charge of the Black Stars in March earlier this year, with their narrow win against Madagascar making it four from eight games so far.
They had to leave it late with Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams – who switched allegiances from Spain ahead of the World Cup last year – finally breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute of injury time. While it was not the perfect start in terms of performance, winning is ultimately all that counts.
BIGGEST THREAT
Ghana’s biggest threat to claiming top spot in Group I – and an automatic spot at the World Cup in 2026 in the process – is likely to be Mali, but they will certainly not be taking Comoros for granted after their humbling experience in Cameroon last year.
Comoros are unlikely to make any changes to a winning team after beating CAR, meaning Hertha Berlin forward Myziane Maolida should retain his place in attack after scoring on his international debut in the 4-2 victory.
Zerdouk used five substitutes during his side’s win, suggesting that he has total confidence in his developing playing squad.
Ghana, meanwhile, are without Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey due to a groin injury, with Mohammed Kudus operating in a slightly deeper midfield role against Madagascar.
Despite putting in a relatively limp performance in their opening qualifying fixture, Hughton may keep faith with the same group of players, meaning Premier League stars Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo could flank the visitors’ attack.
POSSIBLE LINEUP
Comoros possible starting lineup: Boina; Bakari, Zahary, M’Dahoma, Abdallah; Bourhane, Selemani, M’Changama; Youssouf, Maolida, Ahamada
Ghana possible starting lineup: Ofori; Seidu, Opoku, Amartey, Mensah; Samed, Baba, Kudus; Ayew, Williams, Semenyo
PREDICTION
Ghana were far from impressive against Madagascar in their opening fixture, so they are unlikely to be relishing a trip to Comoros, who famously defeated the Black Stars at AFCON last year.
However, the visitors should have ample quality to claim a narrow victory, with Hughton likely to be prioritisng keeping a clean sheet once again.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
In-form Libya welcome high-flying Cameroon
In-form Libya go in search of a third victory in a row on Tuesday afternoon as they welcome Cameroon to the Martyrs of February Stadium.
Meanwhile, the visitors make the journey to Benghazi having recently returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion last time out. Cameroon were far too strong for Mauritius and highlighted their superiority in an emphatic 3-0 triumph when the sides met at the Japoma Stadium on Friday.
That brought an end to a two-game losing streak for the Indomitable Lions, who have now won back to back competitive games for the first time this year.
Up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit with just one win in seven previous editions of this fixture, losing four of the remaining six.
Libya claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Eswatini at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday to kick off their World Cup qualifying on a positive note. Having recently picked up a first home win in four outings, Tuesday’s hosts now seek consecutive victories in front of their fans for the first time in 2023.
Cameroon are equipped with a plethora of attacking options, and we can see them enjoying a field day in front of goal en route to a comfortable win at the end of the 90 minutes.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
