Ghana will look to secure qualification for the next Africa Cup of Nations when they host the Central African Republic in their final Group E match, set for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Thursday, 7 September 2023.
Ghana come into the match placed top of the standings with nine points from five matches and know that they need only avoid defeat to guarantee a top-two finish and a spot at the Afcon in Ivory Coast next year.
The Black Stars could even afford to lose the match provided Angola don’t win their simultaneous clash at home to already-eliminated Madagascar – but coach Chris Hughton and his charges will surely want to keep their fate in their own hands.
Hughton has named a squad that features Andre Ayew – despite the veteran attacker being without a club at present – as well as the likes of Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams and Mohammed Kudus, though key midfielder Thomas Partey is ruled out due to injury.
As for CAR, this match represents the chance of a lifetime: a win will guarantee their first-ever qualification for the Afcon finals.
“We are not nervous. The squad are all professionals and we know that this game will be very important,” Wild Beasts coach Raoul Savoy explained.
“We have had time to talk about it and the technical staff have tried to keep the nervousness out of the camp. I know some players will feel fear and some will be excited. So I think we have to manage each player personally but all of them have prepared for the game in the most responsible way.”
In head-to-head stats, Ghana and CAR have met in just one previous official game, which was their matchday 2 Group E clash in neutral Luanda in June 2022 which ended 1-1 after goals from Karl Namnganda and Mohammed Kudus.
Source: eNCA
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