Jordan Ayew (L), Mohammed Kudus (M), Thomas Partey (R)
The Black Stars take on Chad today, Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium as they fight for an automatic qualification spot for the 2026 World Cup.
With Chad losing all four qualifying games, a match against Les Sao would normally be seen as a routine fixture for the Black Stars. However, their recent struggles have turned it into a crucial test.
Nonetheless, with the team eager to regain momentum and rally their supporters, the spotlight falls on key individuals who could make the difference.
Here are three crucial players who could decide Ghana’s fate in this must-win encounter:
Jordan Ayew
The Leicester City forward was part of the Black Stars team that could not qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. However, with Otto Addo handing him the armband, the onus is on Ayew to lead the charge.
The 33-year-old’s last goal for his club came in the Foxes’ 1–3 defeat to Liverpool in December 2024. However, when wearing the Black Stars jersey, Ayew has consistently showcased his knack for finding the net, delivering crucial goals when it matters most.
His goal against Mali earned all three points for the Black Stars, turning their struggling qualification campaign into a winning one.
Four days later, he hit a hat trick against the Central African Republic, putting the Black Stars level on points with Comoros.
If Ayew can replicate those exploits, it could be enough to propel the Black Stars to victory.
Thomas Partey
The midfielder has come under severe scrutiny and backlash from fans who believe the Arsenal man’s commitment to the Black Stars is not the same as what he shows for Arsenal.
At his best, Partey is simply unstoppable, as he proved in the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs against Nigeria. He not only found the net but also led the charge throughout the game, inspiring a memorable victory over Ghana’s fiercest rivals.
Injuries have limited him to just two of the Black Stars’ four qualifying matches, but in those appearances, he showcased his quality. He played a key role in Ghana’s comeback against the Central African Republic, providing the assist for Fatawu Issahaku’s crucial third goal.
Although reports indicate he declined the captaincy of the team, his leadership qualities, as Otto Addo mentioned, will be crucial if the Black Stars are to pick up all three points on Friday, March 21, 2025.
Mohammed Kudus
Kudus captained the team for Ghana’s doubleheader against Sudan in October 2024. However, his tenure as captain saw the Black Stars fail to win either of the two games played.
Nevertheless, Kudus’ talent means both fans and pundits now turn to the West Ham star to be the driving force for the team. On his day, the midfielder is unplayable and could thus become one of the key players for the team.
In a game that could see Chad put all their men behind the ball, Kudus’ ability to take on players could prove to be the cure the Black Stars need to unlock the defence of Les Sao.
Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Debate as some Ghanaians predict a win for Black Stars against Chad
FKA/EK