BY Issah Olegor
As Ghana prepares for their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Comoros on Sunday, head coach Otto Addo has expressed his determination for the Black Stars to end the campaign on a winning note — not merely to qualify, but to make a statement.
Ghana will host Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on October 12, 2025, in a high-stakes clash that could seal the nation’s ticket to football’s grandest stage for the fifth time in the last six editions.
The Black Stars currently sit atop their qualifying group with three points ahead of Madagascar and need just a single point to guarantee their spot in the global tournament.
However, Otto Addo insists that complacency has no place in his team’s mindset.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Accra, the former Borussia Dortmund coach underscored the need for total focus and professionalism.
“This is where everybody should show how professional they are,” Addo said. “I’ve seen a lot in football — I once led with my team 4-0 and we lost 6-4. In football, anything can happen. We’re not done until we’re done. I think we want to end this qualification with a victory. This is for sure.”
The coach’s remarks reflect his broader philosophy since his reappointment as Ghana’s head coach in early 2024.
Tasked with rebuilding a team that struggled during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Addo has emphasized discipline, tactical awareness, and player confidence — values he believes have rekindled the competitive spirit on the continental stage.
Ghana’s road to the 2026 World Cup has been a mixture of steady progress and resilience.
The Black Stars bounced back from an early setback against Madagascar with crucial wins over Central African Republic and Chad, placing them firmly in control of Group I. A draw on Sunday would mathematically confirm their place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but Addo and his charges are keen to secure qualification in style before their home fans.
For many Ghanaians, this fixture also holds symbolic significance.
The Black Stars’ last World Cup appearance in 2022 ended in disappointment after a group-stage exit in Qatar, and Addo — who was also in charge then — has been vocal about using that experience to build a more balanced and mentally strong side.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has intensified public mobilization ahead of Sunday’s match, urging fans to fill the 40,000-seater Accra Sports Stadium to capacity to rally behind the team.
The game is scheduled for 19:00 GMT, with heightened expectations of a carnival-like atmosphere.
As the Black Stars prepare for what could be a historic qualification moment, the message from Otto Addo remains simple yet powerful: professionalism, focus, and victory.
“We owe it to ourselves and to the country to finish well,” he reiterated. “We’ve come this far together, and now it’s time to get the job done.”
