2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Preview: Ghana vs Madagascar
Date: Friday, 17th November, 2023
Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi
In a pivotal clash for a spot in the 2026 World Cup, Ghana and Madagascar are set to face off at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on the evening of Friday, 17th November, 2023. This Group I Round 1 fixture promises to be a showdown between the Black Stars of Ghana and the Barea of Madagascar.
Head-to-Head History
The teams have met twice before in AFCON Qualifiers in 2022, with Ghana securing a 3-0 victory at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium and a goalless draw in Madagascar.
– Total Matches Played: 2
– Ghana Wins: 1, Goals Scored: 3
– Madagascar Wins: 0, Goals Scored: 0
– Drawn Games: 1
Match Facts
– Ghana FIFA Ranking (as of 26th October, 2023): 60th
– Madagascar FIFA Ranking (as of 26th October, 2023): 108th
– Ghana’s Most Caps Player: Andre Ayew (115 caps, 24 goals)
– Madagascar’s Most Caps Player: Paulin Voavy (67 caps, 15 goals)
– Ghana’s All-Time Top Scorer: Asamoah Gyan (51 goals in 109 caps)
– Madagascar’s All-Time Top Scorer: Paulin Voavy (15 goals in 67 caps)
Team Debut Information
– Ghana’s World Cup Debut: 2006
– Madagascar’s World Cup Debut: Yet to qualify
NOVEMBER MATCH ANALYSIS
Ghana in November
– Games Played: 37
– Wins (W): 20, Draws (D): 11, Losses (L): 6
– Goals For (GF): 62, Goals Against (GA): 30
Ghana in November World Cup Qualifiers
– World Cup Qualifiers Played: 13
– W: 5, D: 5, L: 3
– GF: 21, GA: 14
Madagascar in November
– Games Played: 15
– W: 4, D: 5, L: 6
– GF: 23, GA: 24
Madagascar in November World Cup Qualifiers
– World Cup Qualifiers Played: 9
– W: 2, D: 3, L: 4
– GF: 12, GA: 15
Match Date History (17th November)
Ghana’s Previous Games
Ghana has a mixed record on this date:
– W: 2, D: 1, L: 1
– GF: 4, GA: 1
Madagascar’s Previous Games
Madagascar’s history on this date includes
– W: 1, D: 1, L: 1
– GF: 5, GA: 4
World Cup Qualifiers Records at Home
Ghana has a formidable record at home, with only two teams beating them in World Cup Qualifiers since 1960.
1. Qualification to France 1998 World Cup: Ghana 0-2 Sierra Leone
2. Qualification to South Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup: Ghana 1-3 Liberia
Match Day (Friday) Statistics
Ghana World Cup Qualifiers on Friday Since 1960
– Games Played: 13
– W: 4, D: 7, L: 2
– GF: 10, GA: 7
Madagascar World Cup Qualifiers Games on Friday Since 1980
Madagascar has participated in eight World Cup Qualifiers games on Friday:
– W: 2, D: 1, L: 5
– GF: 7, GA: 10
Overall World Cup Qualifiers Performance
Ghana
– Total Games Played: 91
– W: 44, D: 25, L: 22
– GF: 140, A: 70
Madagascar
– Total Games Played: 42
– W: 12, D: 10, L: 20
– GF: 49, GA: 60
Madagascar’s last away victory in World Cup Qualifiers was on 10th October 2015 against Central Africa (0-3).
As the teams prepare for this crucial match, both Ghana and Madagascar aim to secure their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding another chapter to their football history. The Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi is set to witness a clash that will be remembered for years to come.
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