The Black Stars of Ghana will look to secure qualification for the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when they host the Central African Republic (CAR) in their final Group E match, set for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Thursday, 7 September 2023.
Kick-off is at 6 pm CAT.
Ghana comes into the match placed top of the standings with nine points from five matches and knows that they need only avoid defeat to guarantee a top-two finish and a spot at the Afcon in Ivory Coast next year.
The Black Stars could even afford to lose the match provided Angola doesn’t win their simultaneous clash at home to already-eliminated Madagascar – but coach Chris Hughton and his charges will surely want to keep their fate in their own hands.
The Ghanaian coach Chris Hughton has named a squad that features Andre Ayew – despite the veteran attacker being without a club at present – as well as the likes of Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, and Mohammed Kudus, though key midfielder Thomas Partey is ruled out due to injury.
As for CAR, this match represents the chance of a lifetime: a win will guarantee their first-ever qualification for the Afcon finals.
In head-to-head stats, Ghana and CAR have met in just one previous official game, which was their matchday 2 Group E clash in neutral Luanda in June 2022 which ended 1-1 after goals from Karl Namnganda and Mohammed Kudus.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars have started their training ahead of the Thursday evening fixture.
Watch the video below:
Credit: Supersports