On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, first-placed Comoros will host the third-placed Black Stars of Ghana at Stade de Moroni in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers at 4 p.m.
The Black Stars, aiming for a fifth World Cup qualification, kicked off their campaign with a difficult 1-0 win over Madagascar at Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Friday, November 17, 2023.
Ghana left it late to snatch victory thanks to Iniaki Williams’ thumping header. It was the Spanish-born’s first ever goal for Ghana since switching allegiance in 2022, just before the FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar.
With their passive midfield display in the first, the Ghanaians could not hardly get a sniff near the goal of Madagascar, as they were on three occasions exposed by the brilliant wing plays of their lesser-known opponents.
West Ham star Mohammed Kudus and Athletic Bilbao’s Williams had decent chances to give Ghana the lead in the early minutes of the second half, showing a bit of intent on the attacking front.
Ghana’s coach, Chris Hughton, may’ve waved his magic wand when he brought on Mjeed Ashimeru for Baba Iddrisu at the start of the second half. The Anderletch man provided so much creativity in the field of play, making it difficult to be marked, as the coach of Madagascar admitted in his post-match comments.
Ghana will face a somewhat bogey side in Comoros. A side that knocked out and humiliated the Black Stars out of the group stages at the 2022 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Captain of the Black Stars, Andre Dede Ayew, was sent 25 minutes into the game after Comoros had stunned the Ghanaians with a 4th minute lead. Mogni scored a brace, while Richmond Boakye and Alexander Djiku scored to make the scoreline more respectable.
The Comoros also kicked off their campaign with a statement-making 4-2 victory over the Central African Republic on Friday.
Hughton may need to revert to one striker at the top of attack and start Ashimeru to bring in balance and control over the game.
If Comoros has done any through scouting on the Black Stars’ performance last Friday, they would need to subdue Mohammed Kudus and Ashimeru in the attacking midfield.
Ghanaians would be hoping the Black Stars avoid defeat in Moroni on Tuesday.
