Fans of the Black Stars are up in arms over the inclusion of André Ayew in the September 2023 Ghana national football team squad to face Central African Republic in the AFCON qualifiers 2023 fixtures.
However, team manager Chris Hughton has stated his indifference towards their opinions. He went on to point out that it is normal during every call-up and that he is focused on finishing the qualifiers well.
Hughton has selected the best Black Stars – according to his technical reports – to help them triumph over the CAR.
Here are predictions for the Central African Public and the potential XI.
🎥 Our first training session in Kumasi: https://t.co/vyLdU3zCbH
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) September 6, 2023
Black Stars vs Central African Republic lineup
Black Stars vs Central African Republic will take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi, Ghana. The time for the match is 5 PM WAT.
The squad list has already been announced by the Ghana FA but the lineups for the game will be released a few hours to the game.
Based on past Black Stars matches and available players (Thomas Partey, Joseph Paintsil and Daniel Amartey are out of the squad due to injury), here is the predicted lineup to face CAR.
Goalkeeper: Lawrence Ati-Zigi
Defenders: Alidu Seidu, Joseph Aidoo, Nicholas Opoku, Baba Abdul Rahman
Midfielders: Salis Abdul Samed, Edmund Addo, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Kudus, André Ayew
Attackers: Jordan Ayew
🚨Chris Hughton has named the squad for Ghana's final round of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The match against Central African Republic is set to take place on September 7th at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. #BlackStars | #GHACAR pic.twitter.com/cP25e6UDgk
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) September 2, 2023
Here is the predicted lineup for CAR to face the Black Stars of Ghana based on a similar criteria.
Goalkeeper: Geoffrey Lembet
Defenders: Sadock Ndobe, Flory Yangao, Freeman Niamathe, Peter Guinari
Midfielders: Amos Youga, Tresor Toropite, Brad Pirioua
Attackers: Karl Namnganda, Louis Mafouta, Cesar Lobi Manzoki
Black Stars vs Central African Republic predictions
Prediction 1 – Black Stars to win
The Ghana national football team are the hosts of this fixture and they are under great pressure to qualify thanks to the toughness of their group.
However, they have a good record against the Central African Republic and are predicted to take all three points in front of their fans to seal one of the qualification tickets in Group E.
Prediction 2 – Mohammed Kudus goal contribution for Black Stars
Mohammed Kudus is currently the Ghana national team's most in-form player.
The former AFC Ajax man made a switch to the Premier League, signing for West Ham United on a five-year deal a few days to the end of the 2023 summer transfer window.
He is yet to make his debut but now has millions of Hammers fans watching him. He will be eager to put on a show for his new fans who celebrated his move from the Netherlands to England, which will lead him to score or provide an assist against CAR.
Prediction 3 – A goal in each half
The Black Stars have enjoyed an unbeaten run in the AFCON 2023 qualifiers but have not been able to score like most of their counterparts.
CAR, however, will be at a disadvantage having to play this important tie in Kumasi. This does not mean Ghana will dominate but it means that they will enjoy the lion's share of the big moments that the game holds.
Putting in the hard work and training for the final Group E AFCON qualifier against Central African Republic tomorrow, 7th September, 2023. 💪🏾⚽#BlackStars | #GHACAR pic.twitter.com/ngHk37KbOu
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) September 6, 2023
These include goals in the first and second half, which will help them seal a ticket to the 2023 AFCON in Ivory Coast.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 weeks ago