Black Stars skipper Jordan Ayew says qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a vital opportunity to restore Ghana’s pride after the team’s shocking absence from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ghana, for the first time in over twenty years, failed to book a spot at Africa’s most prestigious football tournament after going winless in the qualifiers. The setback, however, has reignited the players’ hunger and determination to redeem themselves on the global stage.
Their recent 5-0 triumph over the Central African Republic on Matchday 9 at the Stade d’Honneur de Meknès in Morocco served as a strong statement of intent.
Speaking to 3Sports after the game, Ayew expressed both disappointment and resolve:
“I took this to heart because I wasn’t happy with how things went at the 2022 World Cup. Missing the AFCON was a huge disaster and disappointment for all of us. I’ve been with the national team for a long time; it’s part of me, and I knew I had to step up.”
Goals from Mohammed Salisu, Thomas Partey, Alexander Djiku, Jordan Ayew, and Kamaldeen Sulemana secured the emphatic win.
With this result, Ghana sits top of Group I with 22 points, moving closer to sealing their World Cup qualification. The Black Stars will wrap up their campaign against Comoros on Sunday, October 12, at the Accra Sports Stadium, with kickoff at 19:00 GMT.