The Black Stars of Ghana are in action against the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) for their final game in the October 2023 international break.
The game will take place on Wednesday 18 October 2023 at the GEODIS Park, home of MLS side Nashville SC. It will kick off at 1:30 AM WAT.
Ghana started the international break poorly, failing to register a single shot on target against Mexico who defeated them 2 – 0 at the Bank of America Stadium on 15 October 2023. The Black Stars will now take on another CONCACAF nation to redeem their image.
Black Stars preparing for World Cup qualification with Mexico and USA friendlies
Ghana’s Black Stars are taking on the two CONCACAF nations in October to prepare for the start of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign which begins in November. It is also a way to get them in shape against the biggest teams in the world as the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations draws near.
⏰ 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 – International Friendly
🇲🇽 Mexico 2️⃣-0️⃣ Ghana 🇬🇭 #BlackStars | #MEXGHA pic.twitter.com/P1pa2U4Kbf
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) October 15, 2023
They have been drawn into Group I for the qualifying tournament by CAF alongside Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Madagascar and Mali.
Due to the new format of the upcoming Mundial, CAF intends to have nine teams qualify from the nine groups while the four best group runners-up will participate in play-offs to determine which team will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
Ghana will be aiming to win their group to qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The qualifiers begin on 13 November 2023 with the Black Stars taking on Madagascar.
The November international break will also be their last until the AFCON 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast next January, where Ghana will kick off their campaign to secure a fifth African title against Cape Verde.
Having lost to Mexico in an amateur fashion, they will now be looking to one-up the USMNT, who also lost to Germany in their first international game of the October break.
Tuesday: 🇺🇸 v 🇬🇭 at GEODIS Park – Nashville, Tennessee. #BlackStars pic.twitter.com/Hzl2LVVDQW
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) October 16, 2023
USA vs Black Stars preview and team news
The match will be played on the home turf of the Americans and as such, will have more USMNT support in attendance. Ghanaians in the US diaspora will turn up to support their Black Stars but Chris Hughton’s team will have to do more than count on their minute 12th man to come away with a friendly victory.
Thomas Partey, who was accompanied by Arsenal physio Simon Murphy for the international break, made his first start for Ghana against Mexico since June thanks to a series of injuries. He is in line to make another appearance as he approaches 50 caps for the Black Stars.
Stephen Ambrosius made his debut for the Black Stars against Mexico and could earn a second cap against USA. Jordan Ayew has the opportunity to become Ghana’s seventh all-time top goalscorer if he earns his 94th cap for the Black Stars and scores his 21st goal against the USMNT.
Joseph Aidoo has returned to Celta Vigo after picking up an injury against Mexico while Hamidu Fatawu replaces him in the squad ahead of the USA match. Manager Chris Hughton will be making sure that his team give their best, even though it is a friendly.
Joseph Aidoo has been ruled out of the International friendly against the United States of America due to an ankle injury.
We wish ‘Boboo’ a speedy recovery 👊🏾❤️#BlackStars pic.twitter.com/CpSWVkKiZW
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) October 16, 2023
Where to watch USA vs Ghana Black Stars
The game will be televised on TNT Sports, MAX and Peacock for Ghana Black Stars fans in the USA.
These sets of fans will have to download the apps and pay the subscription fee to these streaming services to enjoy the game.
Fans in Ghana can download either of these apps as well and stream the game as it will not be televised on any television broadcast channel.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago