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The Black Stars of Ghana will take on Comoros at the Stade de Moroni\u00a0in their second Group I game of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.<\/p>\n
Both teams will be hoping to make it two wins from two in\u00a0World Cup\u00a0qualifying when\u00a0Comoros\u00a0host\u00a0Ghana\u00a0on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Comoros defeated Central African Republic 4-2 on Friday, while Ghana beat Madagascar 1-0 at the Baba Yara Stadium on Friday.<\/p>\n
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After seeing their fellow East African islanders push Ghana hard in the opening round of fixtures, Comoros will retain genuine belief of causing a major upset against the Black Stars on Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Having only become a FIFA member in 2005, the Coelacanths have never qualified for a World Cup before. In fact, their win against CAR was their first-ever victory in World Cup qualifying.\u00a0Younes Zerdouk\u2019s side scored two own goals during the encounter but came from behind to earn an impressive win.<\/p>\n
Comoros actually qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time at the most recent tournament in Cameroon last year, with their historic 3-2 win against Ghana taking them through to the first knockout stage at their opponents\u2019 expense. They were beaten 2-1 by the hosts after putting in an excellent display.<\/p>\n
Clearly, Zerdouk\u2019s side have nothing to fear when they face Ghana once again in Moroni, as they look to maintain their position at the top of Group I.<\/p>\n
Indeed, that defeat to Comoros was one of the lowest points in Ghana\u2019s history, as the four-time AFCON champions crashed out at the group stage for the first time since 2006.<\/p>\n
Ghana have made it to four of the last five World Cups since qualifying for their first-ever World Cup in that year, meaning head coach\u00a0Chris Hughton\u00a0will firmly be expected to maintain their impressive record in that regard. The former Brighton & Hove Albion boss took charge of the Black Stars in March earlier this year, with their narrow win against Madagascar making it four from eight games so far.<\/p>\n
They had to leave it late with Athletic Bilbao forward\u00a0Inaki Williams\u00a0\u2013 who switched allegiances from Spain ahead of the World Cup last year \u2013 finally breaking the deadlock in the sixth minute of injury time after powerfully headed home a cross from Gideon Mensah. While it was not the perfect start in terms of performance, winning is ultimately all that counts.<\/p>\n
Ghana\u2019s biggest threat to claiming top spot in Group I \u2013 and an automatic spot at the World Cup in 2026 in the process \u2013 is likely to be Mali, but they will certainly not be taking Comoros for granted after their humbling experience in Cameroon last year.<\/p>\n
Team News<\/strong><\/p>\n Comoros are unlikely to make any changes to a winning team after beating CAR, meaning Hertha Berlin forward\u00a0Myziane Maolida\u00a0should retain his place in attack after scoring on his international debut in the 4-2 victory.<\/p>\n Zerdouk used five substitutes during his side\u2019s win, suggesting that he has total confidence in his developing playing squad.<\/p>\n Ghana, meanwhile, are without Arsenal midfielder\u00a0Thomas Partey\u00a0due to a groin injury.<\/p>\n Daniel Amartey has been ruled out of the game after failing to pass a late test. The Besiktas defender limped off in the game against Madagascar.<\/p>\n Mohammed Kudus is also being accessed by the medical team. The West Ham United forward failed to complete the training on Monday due to minor pains.<\/p>\n Despite putting in a relatively limp performance in their opening qualifying fixture, Hughton may keep faith with the same group of players, meaning Premier League stars\u00a0Jordan Ayew\u00a0and\u00a0Antoine Semenyo\u00a0could flank the visitors\u2019 attack.<\/p>\n Comoros possible starting lineup:<\/strong><\/p>\n Boina, Bakari, Zahary, M\u2019Dahoma, Abdallah; Bourhane, Selemani, M\u2019Changama; Youssouf, Maolida, Ahamada<\/p>\n Ghana possible starting lineup:<\/strong><\/p>\n Ofori; Seidu, Opoku, Amartey, Mensah; Samed, Baba, Kudus; Ayew, Williams, Semenyo<\/p>\n Where will the game be played?<\/strong><\/p>\n The game will be staged at the Stade de Moroni<\/p>\n What is the kick-off time?<\/strong><\/p>\n The game has been scheduled to kick off at 16:00GMT<\/p>\n What are the match officials?<\/strong><\/p>\n Mauritanian match official, Bouh Abdel Aziz has been named to officiate the game.<\/p>\n He will be assisted by\u00a0Diba Hamedine (Assistant I), Youssef Mohamed Mahmoud (Assistant II) and Diou Moussa Alassane (Fourth referee)<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Efong Nzolo J\u00e9r\u00f4me from Gabon will work as Referee Assessor while Shongwe William Makinati from Eswatini will work as Match Commissioner.<\/p>\n Prediction<\/strong><\/p>\n Comoros 0-1 Ghana<\/p>\n <\/p>\n