Kurt Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association (FA), has urged the Black Stars to rise to the challenge and perform admirably in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR) this June.
Addressing the players after their initial training session at the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon on Friday, May 31, 2024, Okraku expressed his appreciation for their commitment to the national team and underscored the significance of the upcoming matches.
“I am delighted to welcome you all back home,” Okraku stated. “Typically, this time would be your holiday period, but you have responded to the national call, and I am pleased with your positive attitude towards our national cause.”
Reflecting on the team’s journey so far, he added, “We began our World Cup campaign a few months ago with mixed results. We won our opening game against Madagascar but then suffered a defeat to Comoros. However, our journey is far from over. We have a chance to recover and advance.”
Ghana’s World Cup qualifying campaign in Group I has been marked by a 1-0 victory over Madagascar in Kumasi and a 1-0 loss to Comoros in Moroni. Currently sitting in fourth place in the group, the Black Stars are keen to improve their standings.
Their next match is against Mali on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00. This will be followed by a crucial game against the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Monday, June 10, 2024.
The Black Stars are determined to secure victories in these matches to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
