#5. Ghana 🇬🇭
Population: 32.83 million
Nickname: Black Stars
Appearances: 24th
Last Appearance: 2021
Coach: Chris Houghton (Ireland/Ghana)
Best AFCON results: Winners- four times (1963,1965,1978,1982)
Skipper: Andre Ayew
Player to watch: Mohammed Kudus
Region: WAFU
CAF Rankings: 11
FIFA Rankings: 61
Most caps: Andre Ayew (115)
Top scorer: Asamoah Gyan (51 goals)
Ghana is ranked 61 by FIFA and 11 by CAF. This shows how poor the Black Stars have been recently. Four times winners of the AFCON, Ghana used to be the most feared team in the tournament but has been normal and inconsistent in the competition in the last 6 editions.
Ghana finished bottom of Group D in the 2021 AFCON after losing 3-2 in the final group game against Comoros as the results remain one of the most embarrassing scorelines in their history.
Chris Houghton’s side got off to a horrible start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after struggling against Madagascar and Comoros. The Black Stars must triple their performance to even reach the Quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON. The team is under immense pressure even though stars like Mohammed Kudus, Inaki Williams, Salis Samed, Jordan Ayew and Fatawu Issahaku have been in blistering form for their respective clubs in the ongoing season.
Chris Houghton’s side has a huge problem concerning the goalkeeping role as none of his keepers can boldly say he’s the number one. Expectations back home are low as Ghanaian’s confidence in the team is very low.
Ghana has lost 6 games and won 4 since the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar including friendly games.
It is 41 years and counting since Ghana won their last AFCON. Will they break their 4 decades wait?
The core of the team
It is looking increasingly likely that Richard Ofori will get the nod to be the number one as he was used in the last two games in the World Cup qualifiers.
Djiku and Amartey are expected to lead Ghana from the back as Salis Samed Mohammed Kudus will be the main man in the midfield. It is unknown whether Partey will be fit for the tournament.
Jordan Ayew and Inaki Williams are the men to lead the attack as youngsters like Nuamah, Issahaku and Osman Bukari will complete their effort.
Probable 11
Richard Ofori
Denis Odoi-Djiku- Amartey- Mensah
Salis-Ashimeru
Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Nuamah
Inaki Williams
Notable Legends
Abedi Pele, Samuel Osei Kuffuor, Tony Yeboah, Micheal Essien, Asamoah Gyan, Mohammed Polo, Ibrahim Sunday, Abdul Razak, Muntari, Appiah.
Expectations: Quarter-finals
Fixtures
• Ghana v Cape Verde
• Egypt v Ghana
• Mozambique v Ghana
