The Black Stars took a giant step towards securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup after emphatically beating Madagascar 3-0 in Morocco on Monday night.
Otto Addo’s side were looking to build on the 5-0 drubbing of Chad on Friday as they faced second placed Madagascar.
Ghana, who only arrived in Morocco on Saturday afternoon, could only muster one training session before the game.
Despite the little turnaround time, Addo switched from a 4-1-4-1 which successfully worked against Chad to a 5-3-2 formation.
Ernest Nuamah and Iñaki Williams who were both on the scoresheet against Chad, were dropped to the bench and replaced by Jerome Opoku and Francis Abu.
The Black Stars started brightly once again and went close after a free kick from Jordan Ayew found an outstretching Mohammed Salisu who couldn’t hit the target with his effort.
Minutes later, Ghana were rewarded from a similar spot as this time Thomas Partey connected with Ayew’s cross to gain the lead.
Despite taking the lead, Ghana failed to build on that momentum as Madagascar slowly grew into the game.
The Barea gained confidence and started making incursions but lacked the finishing touch as they ended first half without any real threat on Benjamin Asare.
Ghana turned it up a gear in the second half and 9 minutes after the break doubled their lead through the same combination again.
Captain Ayew found Partey once again but this time from a corner kick.
Ghana put the game beyond the Malagasy after Kudus scored the third after poking a beautifully threaded through pass by Ayew.
Kudus ended a 1 year drought with the national team with his last goal coming at the 2024 AFCON.
It was a night it all came together for the Black Stars as Jordan Ayew ended the night with a hat-trick of assists.
The win extends Ghana’s lead at the top of Group I to five points. However, Comoros have to face Chad on Tuesday.
With four games left for Addo’s men, Ghana remains in pole position to qualify for the munfial with two home games against Comoros and Mali, and two away games against Chad and Central African Republic.
The Black Stars will be in action next in September against Chad as they aim to fifth World Cup.
