Ghana’s journey toward redemption begins on Friday in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Black Stars find themselves in troubled waters - winless in their last six matches - a dismal run that saw them miss out on a place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

With mounting pressure, Coach Otto Addo is racing against time to turn Ghana’s fortunes around.

The support from the Ghana Football Association, Parliament, and Ghana President John Mahama has been unwavering, but now, the results must follow.

However, securing victory may not be straightforward, as Chad arrive with players capable of tormenting the Black Stars.

Despite their poor form, just three wins in six years, the visitors possess dangerous weapons that could punish any lapse in Ghana’s defense.

Mahamat Thiam

The defensive midfielder has established himself as one of the best in the Georgian football division for Kolkheti 1913.

He is a regular in the Chad national team setup, having made his debut a year ago.

The 23-year-old’s ability to maneuver with the ball in tight spaces and his vision in finding teammates making incursions make him a vital cog in the team.

If Thiam dictates the tempo, Chad’s chances of causing an upset will skyrocket and Ghana must find a way to neutralise him.

Youssouf Abderamane

Youssouf Abdraman primarily plays as an attacking midfielder or a striker.

The 20-year-old came on as a substitute in a match against Sierra Leone in November during the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and impressed many with his composure, work rate, and performance on and off the ball.

Despite Chad losing 4-0 against Côte d'Ivoire on November 19, 2024, Abdraman was one of the best players on the pitch, receiving a Sofascore rating of 6.7.

A weapon Chad could rely on.

Abakar Goukoui

He is a forward who plays for TP Elect Sport in Chad, and his inclusion in the national squad speaks volume of his offensive capabilities.

Goukoui is expected to be a key player in Chad's attacking strategy, by aiming to challenge opposing defenses with his goal-scoring prowess.

He can pose several threats to Ghana’s defense with his strong physical presence, which allows him to hold off defenders and compete in aerial duels, making him a target man for crosses and long balls.

The Chadian is also capable of making quick runs behind defensive lines, exploiting gaps left by Ghana’s full-backs or center-backs if they push too high up the pitch.

Though Chad is considered an underdog, players like Goukoui will be eager to prove themselves by causing the Black Stars problems.