Ghana to get off to a winning start against Madagascar
Group I in the CAF World Cup qualifiers will kick off today, with Ghana taking on Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Friday evening.
The Black Stars are heavily fancied to get off to a winning start and are the pre-tournament favourites to top this group, which also features the Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros and Mali.
THE BLACK STARS
Despite being one of the most decorated nations in the continent, Ghana have fallen in ranking in recent years, now in 11th place among all African nations, according to FIFA’s points system.
The Black Stars had a solid Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign over the last couple of years, winning their group with 12 points and maintaining an unbeaten record during that time.
However, since then, they have experienced a slight dip in form and come into this match following two consecutive losses against Mexico and the United States last month.
While losing to those higher-ranked opponents away from home may be excusable, the major concern for Chris Hughton will be that his side were unable to find the net even once in either of those games but let in six in that time.
Nevertheless, back on home soil here, the hosts will be full of confidence as they have an excellent home record behind them with nine consecutive wins, including a 3-0 win over this opponent back in January.
MADAGASCAR
In contrast, Madagascar had a very poor AFCON qualification run as they finished at the bottom of their group with just three points and failed to win any of their six matches in the competition.
However, their performance in those qualifiers were arguably not a fair reflection of their ability, as they showed at the start of the year when they finished in a very credible third place at the CAF African Nations Championship.
Notably, Barea were drawn in the same group as the Black Stars in the Nations Championship as well and beat them in group stages, which was made up of just three teams after Morocco withdrew from the competition.
The visitors claimed a 2-1 win over Benin in a friendly last month to snap up a five-match winless streak, and while the odds are stacked against them in this match, it would not be a complete shock if they managed to sneak a result in this one.
WHO’S IN WHO’S OUT
The Blacks Stars have brought three goalkeepers, Lawrence Ati Zigi, Jojo Wollacott and Richard Ofori, to this competition, though the former is expected to get the nod between the sticks for this first match.
Andre Ayew has been short of match time in recent months but is expected to start this match alongside Joseph Paintsil and Mohammed Kudus, while Thomas Partey should slot in as the deepest-lying midfielder.
Tsiry Tokinantenaina and Jean Yves Razafindrakoto both got on the scoresheet for Madagascar against Benin last month and should keep their places in the starting 11 for this match.
Loic Lapoussin was an unused substitute in that match but is expected to return to the attack here alongside Arnaud Randrianantenaina.
POSSIBLE LINEUP
Ghana possible starting lineup: Zigi; Seidu, N. Opoku, J. Opoku, Mensah; Partey, Owusu; Kudus, Ayew, Paintsil; Williams
Madagascar possible starting lineup: Adrien; Rabemananjara, Ramanjary, Razafindraibeharimihanta, Fortun; Lalaina, Ilaimaharitra, Tokinantenaina, Raveloson; Randrianantenaina, Lapoussin
PREDICTION
While the visitors are the clear underdogs heading into this match, it is worth noting that they are unbeaten in their last two matches against this opponent; however, both of those matches were on their home patch.
We are still expecting a whole-hearted performance from Barea but feel that the Black Stars will make their home-ground advantage count by coming out as narrow winners.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Comoros welcome Central African Republic
Comoros will go in search of a second win on the bounce in their opening World Cup qualifier against Central African Republic at Stade de Moroni today.
Meanwhile, the away side make the trip aiming to snap a two-game losing streak and pick up a first victory across all competitions since March.
With the hosts currently winless in four straight home matches, Friday’s contest is as good a time as any for them to get back to winning ways.
Central African Republic drew the curtain on their AFCON qualifying journey with a 2-1 defeat against Ghana at the Baba Yara Stadium on September 7.
Given the nature of the occasion for both teams, we are expecting a nervy and cagey affair with little goalmouth action at either end. That said, we can see the home side just about managing to see off the threat of their visitors en route to a narrow win.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Mali are heavy favourites as they host Chad
Mali and Chad raise the curtain on their respective CAF World Cup qualifying campaigns with a meeting at Stade du 26 Mars on Friday evening.
The sides are on a contrasting run of results heading into this one, but the game promises to be a keenly-contested affair nonetheless.
Having not lost a home game since March 2022, Mali have turned their home ground into a real fortress and are huge favourites to emerge triumphant here.
Chad, on the other hand, are currently on a three-game losing streak and have only managed to find the back of the net on only one occasion.
Aiming to pick up what would be only a first away win since 2015, Friday’s visitors have it all to do as they look to avoid another fruitless outing on the road.
Mali have been imperious on home turf over the last couple of matches, and they will be heavily fancied to come out on top here. We can see them coming away with maximum points from what should be a largely one-sided affair.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
