Black Stars assistant coach John Paintsil has underlined the importance of Ghana’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chad, labeling it a must-win encounter.
Ghana will host Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 19:00 GMT before traveling to Morocco for their next qualifier against Madagascar on March 24.
The Black Stars currently share the top spot in Group I with Comoros, both sitting on nine points from four matches. Ghana’s campaign started with a victory over Madagascar, followed by a setback against Comoros, but they bounced back with crucial wins over Mali and the Central African Republic.
Speaking to Happy Sports, Paintsil stressed the significance of securing maximum points.
“The Chad game is a must-win, and with the support of the fans, I know it will go well for us. We all know what qualifying for the World Cup will do—it will bring opportunities, open doors, and create investment platforms,” he said.
Chad sits at the bottom of the group with just one point, while Madagascar is third with seven points. Due to Madagascar’s national stadium being deemed unfit for international matches, their home fixture against Ghana will be played in Al Hoceima, Morocco.
With six points up for grabs, the Black Stars are fully focused on strengthening their qualification hopes and taking a step closer to the 2026 World Cup.
