Fresh off emphatic victories in their respective matchday five encounters, Madagascar and Ghana will square off in a top-of-the-table qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup at Mimoun Al Arsi Stadium in neutral Morocco on Monday
Madagascar head into this fixture after thrashing Central African Republic 4-1, while the Black Stars dismantled Chad 5-0 in their last outing.
Otto Addo‘s men also experienced an upward trajectory following their emphatic win, seizing top spot from Comoros, who suffered defeat to Mali.
That result also ended the Black Stars’s winless run of eight competitive matches, a streak that included a dismal Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign and an underwhelming showing in the CHAN preliminaries.
Ghana finished bottom of Group F with just three draws from their six AFCON qualifiers, meaning they will not feature at the tournament in Morocco, while their African Nations Championship hopes also ended in disappointment following a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Nigeria, making their current push for a World Cup ticket all the more significant.
While Madagascar have built their success in the competition on defensive resilience, the Black Stars also pose a major attacking threat, having netted 12 goals in the qualifiers – more than any other side in the group.
Ghana have further reason for optimism heading into Monday’s clash, having edged the Barea 1-0 in the reverse fixture – a result they will look to replicate as they aim to tighten their grip at the top of the standings.
Having come through their match against Central Africa unscathed, Madagascaris likely to stick with the same lineup that powered to that emphatic victory.
Ghana emerged from their previous fixture without any injury setbacks, making a repeat of their victorious lineup a strong possibility.
In that game, Addo deployed a 4-3-3 system, with Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew leading the attack, and the trio will be keen to maintain their scoring form, having all found the net.
As a result, Ayew has taken his tally to five in the qualifiers, putting him just one behind Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, the current top scorer.
Considering the strength of their previous opponents, Madagascar had the tougher test, and while their statement win boosts confidence, the lack of full home support at a neutral venue could hold them back from taking maximum points, making a draw the likely outcome.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Mali welcome Central African Republic in Group I
Mali will be looking to pick up a fourth straight victory when they entertain the challenge of Central African Republic at Stade du 26 Mars on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the away side make the trip to Bamako aiming to get their World Cup qualifying campaign up and running off the back of an opening defeat last time out.
Mali cruised to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Chad on Thursday evening, to kick off their journey to the 2026 World Cup in grand style.
As a result, Les Aigles have now emerged victorious in each of their last three matches and five of their most recent six outings overall.
Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are a whopping 80 places below in the latest FIFA rankings of national teams.
Currently on a run of four straight wins in front of their fans, Monday’s visitors will head into the game on home turf with the wind in their sails.
Central African Republic came away empty-handed from a highly-entertaining clash against Comoros, which ended 4-2 at Stade de Moroni on Thursday.
Having been beaten in all but one of their last seven matches on the road leading up to Monday’s clash, the visitors will be seeking to turn their away fortunes around.
Mali’s momentum heading into this one makes them favourites to come out on top, and coupled with the added advantage of playing on home turf, we are tipping them to carry the day come the sound of the full-time whistle.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Today’s CAF World Cup Qualifiers
FIXTURES
Group A
Guinea-Bissau 16:00 Burkina Faso
Group E
Congo versus Zambia
Group F
Group H
Namibia 13:00 Equatorial Guinea
Liberia 16:00 São Tomé e Príncipe
Group I
