Ghana’s Black Stars are in the final stages of preparation in Morocco as they gear up for a decisive encounter against the Central African Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The match, scheduled for Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the Stade d’Honneur de Meknes, represents a pivotal moment in the team’s quest to secure qualification for football’s biggest tournament.
The squad has been assembling in Casablanca since the weekend, with head coach Otto Addo overseeing intensive training sessions at the Mohammed V Sports Complex.
The team has been camping in Casablanca since Sunday, fine-tuning preparations for the Matchday 9 encounter in the qualification series. Players began arriving between October 4 and 6, with the technical team ensuring adequate time for tactical preparation and team cohesion.
Early arrivals to the camp included goalkeeper Benjamin Asare from Accra Hearts of Oak, defender Gideon Mensah, midfielder Elisha Owusu, and forwards Prince Owusu and Ebenezer Annan.
The squad has since swelled with the arrival of key European-based players, including Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Alidu Seidu, and Fatawu Issahaku. A total of 20 players trained under head coach Otto Addo at the Mohammed V Sports Complex in Casablanca, as the team fine-tunes tactics and fitness ahead of the match.
The Black Stars currently lead Group I with 19 points and are well-positioned to achieve their objective of reaching the Mundial. However, Otto Addo’s technical team is taking no chances, scheduling three comprehensive training sessions in Morocco to ensure the squad is match-ready.
Today, the team departed Casablanca for Meknes, bringing them closer to the venue where they hope to take another significant step toward World Cup qualification.
The fixture will be played on neutral ground in Morocco due to stadium regulations affecting the Central African Republic’s home venue. Despite playing away from Ghanaian soil, the Black Stars carry the weight of a nation’s expectations as they aim for what would be the country’s fifth FIFA World Cup appearance. The match kicks off at 16:00 GMT, and a positive result would considerably strengthen Ghana’s position in the qualifying campaign.
Following the Central African Republic clash, the Black Stars will return home to face Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, 2025, in their final group qualifier.
With qualification within reach, coach Addo and his charges understand that maintaining focus and delivering commanding performances in these final matches will be essential to achieving their World Cup dream.
Story Written By Prince Asante Kwarteng | Kobby Kyei News
