After defeating Central African Republic 4-3 on Monday night at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana topped Group I of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
So what did we learn from this thrilling win?
JORDAN AYEW STILL HAS A LOT TO OFFER
For the Black Stars, the striker has grown in importance. He demonstrated once more on Monday at the Baba Yara stadium why, despite a challenging season at Palace, Ghana can still rely on him. The attacker for Ghana is enjoying life in front of goal play now that he has found his scoring form once more.
In Ghana’s last five games, Jordan Ayew has scored a whopping 8 goals. It is his best-ever goalscoring form for the Black Stars since he netted a hat-trick in 2014 against South Korea. Jordan Ayew’s ability to draw defenders into challenges while drifting wide and finding pockets to lay a pass has been invaluable to the cause of the team.
Jordan Ayew is still an integral part of the Black Stars and Otto Addo strongly believes he will be one of the main men to take Ghana to the World Cup in 2026 whether or not his rich scoring form continues.
OTTO ADDO – A MAN SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHANGE:
In two games since his return, we have seen him try to fix things, and tweak the formation when the initial signs are not looking too good. Against CAR, he went with Fatau Issahaku and Kamaldeen Sulemana on either wing playing them left and right respectively.
The first goal, the Jordan penalty came from a loose ball Issahaku picked on the right side and made a run into the box. Addo insisted on keeping him on the left wing though but in the second half he switched them to their preferred positions and things began to look up for the Black Stars.
The wingers upped the ante and looked sprightlier than in the first half. Issahaku got on the scoresheet while Kamaldeen, who had a game to forget was yanked off.
Addo’s substitutions have been his masterstroke since he returned to his role. It was his saving grace in the Mali game in Bamako and then in Kumasi, he used it again. Bringing on Abdul Mumin to shore up the defence, Tariq Lamptey and Semenyo all held on really well to give Ghana the win.
BABA YARA HOLD THE SPIRIT OF GHANA FOOTBALL
The Baba Yara stadium is almost an enigma now. When Kotoko play there, they are not the best but the Black Stars have an imperious record in that stadium.
The national team holds a 24-year record of not losing in that stadium and then a record in World Cup qualifying that dates back to 1972.
With these records, it can easily be said that the stadium holds the heart and soul of football in the country. There have been close shaves. Games that felt as though it was slipping from Ghana but the team found a way.
The fans have made that stadium an enviable one to play in as well. Always deafening to a fault and the atmosphere is electrifying.
Hopefully, the Black Stars hold on to this record for many, many years
