V/R fans express mixed views over team to face Chad, Mali

  The call-up of players to the Black Stars squad to face Chad and Mali in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifi­ers, has sparked mixed reactions among fans in Keta in the Volta Region.

The squad list, which was released by coach Otto Addo, has left some fans divided on the selection of players.

While some expressed excite­ment over the inclusion of certain players, others expressed disap­pointment and frustration over the omission of their favourite players.

Mr Fred Dadadzogbor, a sports enthusiast and Black Stars fan, at Anlo-Afiadenyigba junction, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA Sports), that the list included a mix of experienced and young players, and applauded the coach for inclusion of players such as goalkeeper Joseph Anang of Saint Patrick’s Athletic, Caleb Yirenkyi of FC Nordsjaelland, Christopher Bonsu Baah of Al-Qadsiah and Jonas Adjetey of FC Basel.

He said the Black Stars must perform well in the upcoming matches against Chad and Mali as they eagerly anticipate qualification for the 2026 FIFA world cup.

Mr Freeman Dogbey, another sports fan, also expressed hope and confidence that the Black Stars would emerge victorious, cit­ing the team’s past performances as superb in the previous qualify­ing matches.

“The coach’s selection criteria have been questioned by some fans; some are speculating about the factors that influenced the selection of certain players, but l think the current players can do the job,” he said.

Some fans also suggested that the coach should have included players such as the experienced captain Dede Ayew, who has been left out of the squad for several matches, while others argued that the players selected had the skills, ability and experience needed to make a difference in the upcoming matches.

The 24 players called by coach Otto Addo for the two matches included three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and seven attackers to face Chad on Thursday at the Stade Olympique Marcel, N’djamena at 13:00 hours and Mali on Monday, September 8, at the Accra Sports Stadium at 7pm.

The Black Stars had previously defeated Mali by 2-1 and Chad 5-0 in the first leg fixtures and hoped to emulate same.

The group winner would au­tomatically qualify for the World Cup, while the runner-up may potentially compete in the second round in attempt to advance to the inter-confederation play-offs. –GNA

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