Veteran Ghanaian coach Francis Oti Akenteng has highlighted the critical importance of the Black Stars securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The four-time African champions will resume their qualification campaign with a pivotal match against Mali on Thursday, June 6, at the Stade du 26 Mars. This will be followed by a crucial home fixture against the Central African Republic on June 10 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
Despite a challenging start to the qualifiers, Oti Akenteng, a former Technical Director of the Ghana Football Association, underscores that Ghana cannot afford to miss out on the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
“It’s difficult looking at Ghanaians’ perspective; every Ghanaian wants the team to win. It’s been years since we lifted the AFCON, and everyone wants to go to the World Cup in America. Every citizen wants to use that opportunity to travel, so we are all praying the team qualifies, but it’s not going to be easy,” he said in an interview with Ghanasportspage.com.
“Most of the players are new. We are lacking the continuity we had during the 2010 AFCON in Angola, with players like Andre Ayew who had won the Under-20 World Cup,” he added.
Ghana currently occupies the fourth spot in Group I, with three points from two games, following a victory against Madagascar and a defeat to Comoros.
Enjoy what Oti Akenteng told Sir Martin on GSP1 MEDIA below
