After three rounds of the World Cup qualifiers, nothing is certain regarding group I, except that Chad is already out of the contest with no points. All the other teams are in the mix. Madagascar, Comoros and Ghana have six points each, while Mali and the Central African Republic follow them with four points each. For that reason, Ghana’s imperative to win is the highest possible since a triumph today would move them to the leading position, at least for some time.Will Trézéguet and Salah keep tormenting Egypt’s opponents?The Black Stars have experienced a serious crisis over the past seven months. Namely, they didn’t record a single win since November and a clash with Madagascar until last Thursday. During that crisis period, Ghana played seven matches, both friendly and competitive, and recorded four draws and three defeats. However, the immensely important victory over Mali in Bamako could have kindled a fire in the Black Stars, and now the Ghanaians hope that flame could engulf their today’s opponent. The fact that Ghana came from behind and beat the Eagles only increases the self-esteem.On the way to victory, Ghana relies on Mohammed Kudus to lead them. Not only did the 23-year-old have an excellent season at West Ham, but he also scored in both clashes between today’s rivals. Because of all the above, it is no wonder Ghana manager Otto Addo is rather optimistic ahead of the upcoming game. In addition, he claimed that the crowd’s support in Kumasi would be essential for his team.Mohammed Kudus and Ernest Nuamah’s goals secured victory for the Black Stars the last time Ghana played against the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara.#GTVSports pic.twitter.com/k90b20o5vQ— GTV SPORTS+ (@mygtvsports) June 9, 2024 The atmosphere within the Central African Republic’s team is not much different. On the contrary, Les Fauves recorded their first win in this campaign five days ago against Chad and hope they can make a good streak. Their coach, Raoul Savoy, is optimistic and boldly asserts that his team can get a positive result, even though the Central African Republic has only one away win in the last nine games. The only goal scorer against Chad, Vénuste Baboula, and the experienced midfielder and team captain Geoffrey Kondogbia are Les Fauves’ greatest strength. Nevertheless, Ghana still has a much better squad and plays in front of its home crowd, which can eventually decide the winner. Despite the away team’s fine form and nice atmosphere, anything but a Ghana win would be a surprise.
WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS – AFRICASundaySao Tome and Principe – Liberia 0-1 (0-0)/Sesay 90/DR Congo – Togo 1-0 (1-0)/Elia 6/Djibouti – Ethiopia 1-1 (1-1)/Dadzie 29 – Wondimu 31/Mauritania – Senegal 0-1 (0-1)/Diallo 27/Namibia – Tunisia 0-0MondayMon 15:00: (1.80) Equatorial Guinea (3.40) Malawi (4.90)Mon 15:00: (6.50) Somalia (3.50) Botswana (1.62)Mon 18:00: (5.00) Guinea B. (3.50) Egypt (1.75)Mon 18:00: (5.20) Benin (3.45) Nigeria (1.75)Mon 18:00: (4.00) Uganda (3.30) Algeria (2.00)Mon 21:00: (1.25) Ghana (5.70) Central African Republic (13.0)Mon 21:00: (1.55) Burkina Faso (3.70) Sierra Leone (7.25)Mon 21:00: (1.80) Guinea (3.50) Mozambique (4.70)***odds are subject to change***