Executive Council Member of the Ghana Football Association, Dr. Randy Abbey has spurred the Black Stars on to clinch one of the nine[9] automatic slots for the 2026 World Cup to be hosted in the United States, Mexico & Canada.
Ghana’s Black Stars began their world qualification series with 3 points in Group I, courtesy of a last-minute strike from Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams against the Barea of Madagascar.
The 29-year-old striker had gone 11 games without scoring for the national team, however, that poor run ended in Kumasi, on Friday, November 17 when he latched on a cross from Gideon Mensah to give Ghana the maximum points at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium against Madagascar.
In an interview with Citi Sports, Dr Randy Abbey praised Inaki Williams for the exploits shown on the pitch and urged the team to build on this performance to qualify for the World Cup, making it a fifth appearance at the global tournament for the West African nation.
“It’s a happy Inaki Williams day. The goal is good for his confidence, I hope it motivates him for the next game” – Randy Abbey (GFA Executive Committee member) following Ghana’s nervy 1-0 win over Madagascar#CitiSports pic.twitter.com/fQEetnijn0
— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) November 17, 2023
If we say we are big boys, we need to do what big boys do, and so we have no chance than to top the group and go to the World Cup.
I mean what else can be the priority, qualification to the World Cup must be your number one priority, he said.
🛫 We’re off to Comoros 🇰🇲#BlackStars pic.twitter.com/vuYIq7nawt
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) November 18, 2023
The Black Stars have arrived in Moroni for their second Group I FIFA World Cup qualifier against Comoros on Tuesday, November 21.
The team departed Accra at 1 pm and arrived at the Moroni International Airport at 10 pm local time (7 pm Gh time) via Ethiopia Airlines.
Ghana coach Chris Hughton travelled with all 25 players who have been in camp since the commencement of the team’s preparations for this month’s qualifiers.
The Black Stars left it late to beat Madagascar 1-0 at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on Friday, while Comoros defeated Central African Republic 4-2 in their opening game.
The team will hold its first training session on Sunday, November 19, 2023, in readiness for the game on Tuesday.
Ghana is third in the Group – level on 3 points with leaders Comoros and second-placed Mali.
The game against Comoros is scheduled for the Moroni Stadium on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 4 pm kick-off time.