Sports Mole previews Tuesday’s World Cup Qualifiers – Africa clash between Comoros and Ghana, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Both teams will be hoping to make it two wins from two matches World Cup qualifiers when Comoros host Ghana on Tuesday.
Comoros defeated Central African Republic 4-2 on Friday, while Ghana beat Madagascar 1-0.
Match preview
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After seeing their fellow East African islanders push Ghana hard in the first round of matches, Comoros will retain their genuine belief of causing a major upset against the Black Stars on Tuesday.
Having only joined FIFA in 2005, the Coelacanths have never qualified for a World Cup before. In fact, their win against CAR was their first win in World Cup qualifying. Younes ZerdukHis side scored two own goals during the encounter but came from behind to claim an impressive victory.
Comoros actually qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time at the most recent tournament in Cameroon last year, with their historic win over Ghana taking them into the first knockout stage at the expense of their opponents. They were beaten 2-1 by the home side after an excellent display.
Clearly, Zherduk’s side have nothing to fear when they face Ghana again in Moroni as they look to maintain their position at the top of Group I.
Indeed, that loss to Comoros was one of the lowest points in Ghana’s history as the four-time AFCON champions crashed out in the group stage for the first time since 2006.
Ghana have reached four of the last five World Cups since qualifying for their first World Cup that year, ie coach Chris Hughton are steadily expected to maintain their impressive record in this regard. The former Brighton & Hove Albion boss took charge of the Black Stars in March earlier this year, with their narrow win over Madagascar making it four out of eight games so far.
They had to leave it late with Athletic Bilbao attacking Inaki Williams – who switched allegiance from Spain ahead of the World Cup last year – finally broke the deadlock in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Although it wasn’t the perfect start in terms of performance, winning is ultimately all that matters.
Ghana’s biggest threat to claiming top spot in Group I – and an automatic place at the 2026 World Cup in the process – is likely to be Mali, but they will certainly not take Comoros for granted after their humbling experience in Cameroon last year .
Comoros – Africa World Cup Qualifier Form:
Comoros kit (all competitions):
Ghana v Africa World Cup Qualifier Form:
Ghana kit (all competitions):
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Team news
Comoros unlikely to make changes to a winning team after beating CAR, meaning Hertha Berlin striker Miziane Maolida should retain his place in attack after scoring on his international debut in the 4-2 win.
Zerdouk used five substitutes during his side’s win, suggesting he has full confidence in his developing squad.
Ghana, meanwhile, are without the Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey due to an injury in the groin, with Muhammad Qudous operating in a slightly deeper midfield role against Madagascar.
Despite putting in a relatively lackluster performance in the first leg of the qualifiers, Hughton can keep his faith in the same group of players, namely the Premier League stars Jordan Ayu and Antoine Semeneu could frame the visitors’ attack.
Possible line-up for Comoros:
Boina? Bakari, Zahary, M’Dahoma, Abdallah; Bourhane, Selemani, M’Changama; Yusuf, Maolida, Ahamada
Ghana’s probable starting line-up:
Ofori? Seidu, Opoku, Amartey, Mensah? Samed, Baba, Kudus? Ayew, Williams, Semenyo
We say: Comoros 0-1 Ghana
Ghana were far from impressive against Madagascar in their opening game, so they are unlikely to enjoy a trip to Comoros, who famously defeated the Black Stars at AFCON last year.
However, the visitors should have enough quality to claim a narrow win, with Hughton likely to be prioritized to keep a clean sheet again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scores and more for this match, click here.