Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, the former midfielder of the Black Stars, has stressed the importance of Chris Hughton, the coach of the Black Stars, fostering competition within the team to eradicate complacency ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Badu acknowledges that although Group I appears manageable on paper, it presents tricky and dangerous challenges in reality. He recognizes that Ghana has fallen behind in the pecking order and is no longer a powerhouse in African football.
Badu further emphasizes the need for the team to accept their struggles against all the teams in the group, except for Chad.
“Our World Cup Group is manageable on paper but tricky and dangerous in reality. We have fallen behind in the pecking order. We are no longer a powerhouse in African football. We need to accept that we have struggled against all those teams in the group apart from Chad,” he told Kumasi-based Akoma FM.
To enhance Ghana’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup, Badu believes that a good season and ample playing time for the players are crucial. He urges the coach to create a competitive environment within the team, eliminating any complacency that may arise.
“We must hope for a good season and playing time for our players so that it can translate into their performance for the national team. The Coach must create competition in the team to eliminate complacency.
Furthermore, Badu highlights the importance of establishing total discipline within the team and not tolerating any egoistic behaviors. He firmly believes that Ghana can secure qualification if they do the right things.
By addressing these aspects, Badu expresses confidence in the Black Stars’ ability to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“He must establish total discipline in the team and not tolerate any egoistic behaviors.” I am sure we can qualify if we do the right things.”
To do that, Ghana will have to navigate Group I in the qualifiers, facing off against Mali, Madagascar, the Central African Republic, the Comoros, and Chad.
Ghana’s recent World Cup campaigns have ended in disappointment, with group stage exits in both the 2014 and 2022 editions. However, the team aims to improve upon their past performances and make a stronger showing in the upcoming tournament.
In the qualification process, the winners of each of the nine groups will secure automatic berths in the World Cup. Additionally, the four best runners-up from the groups will compete in a mini-playoff competition. The ultimate winner of the tournament will progress to an intercontinental playoff, potentially becoming the tenth African team to secure a spot in the competition.
Ghana, the only team in their group to have previously qualified for the World Cup, is determined to overcome the challenges and make their mark on the global stage once again.
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