Group I is so tight that Comoros and Ghana are the first and second teams, respectively, having each won 9 points apiece. The two are separated by head-to-head differences.
Third on the log is Madagascar, who has won 7 points from a possible 12. 4th is Mali, who has amassed just 5 points. Central African Republic has 4 points with the whipping boys Chad yet to win a single point.
The group is firmly poised. Except for the bottom-placed Chad, all the other 5 countries can qualify for the 2026 USA-CANADA-MEXICO World Cup.
Comoros, who has won its two home games so far, will not have the opportunity to play at their favourite Stade de Moroni in Moroni, the capital of Comoros.
The impressive Comoros won 4-2 against the Central African Republic and narrowly pipped Ghana 1-0 to get off to a great start to the qualifiers.
The minnows would have given Mali a good run for their money had their 3rd home game against the Eagles been played at Stade Moroni.
Good news for Mali and Ghana, the game has, however, been scheduled to be played in Morocco at Stade Municipal de Berkane. Their 6th game will be against Chad they defeated 2-0 away, so they would have gotten a huge chance to fight for the slot had they played these two games, especially the Mali fixture at Moroni.
Ghana’s round 6 fixture against Madagascar will be played at Grande Stade Al-Hociema in Morocco. Ghana has proven recently that they are not that good in away games even though they won 2-1 in Bamako against Mali. The fixture is now very open and Ghana will be the favourites.
Mali would have been in trouble had Comoros and Central Africa Republic been playing at their respective homes. These two games could have ended the Eagle’s hope for the World Cup. The good news for the Malians is that Mali will play both the away games in Morocco.
Tom Saintfiet’s charges could be in real contention to win the slot because they can win their next three games and catch up with those on top. After the two tricky away games in Morocco, Mali will host Comors and travel to Ghana in rounds 7 and 8.
Morocco will play a key role in Group I, definitely. The North Africans are hosting all but one of the home games of Group I making the group wide open and handing the big boys a huge advantage.
Minows always prioritise home wins during qualifiers, and now Comoros not playing at home is a big blow for them.
Togo won every home game in the Germany 2006 World Cup qualifiers. Angola also beat every opponent at home during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers. These two teams were minnows and had never experienced the World Cup, but they qualified at the expense of Senegal and Nigeria, respectively, because they had the opportunity to play their home games at home.
Ghana leads Mali by four points and everything indicates that these two countries will have a huge advantage over the others. The Black Stars are, per the analysis, the favourites to top the group since Comoros may not play their home games in Moroni but in Morocco.
Round 5 fixtures in Group I
Comoros v Mali
Central Africa Republic v Madagascar
Ghana v Chad
