Ghana will play Uganda in their second international friendly in Morocco as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.
The Black Stars lost to the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-1 in Marrakech on Friday, March 26 2024, despite an improved second half performance at Grande de Stade Marrakech where Nigeria scored in either half to take a commanding lead before Jordan Ayew pulled one back through a 95th minute penalty.
Otto Addo named a blend of young and experienced squad for these friendlies with some of his key players missing. Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, Joseph Painstil, Mohammed Kudus, Alexander Djiku, Daniel Amartey and Inaki Williams were left out of the squad for injury concerns but youngsters like Forson Amankwah, Ebenezer Annan, Ibrahim Osman, Ernest Nuamah and Jerome Opoku put in an astonishing performance against Nigeria to give the coach a selection dilemma for the forthcoming games in June.
Ghana started the game with Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Alidu Seidu, Patrick Kpozo, Edmund Addo and Jerome Opoku in the five-man backline. In midfield, the coach opted for Baba Iddrisu, Abdul Samed Salis and Forson Amankwah as he named Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo and Ernest Nuamah in the front three.
The gaffer later switched to the three back system by moving Alidu Seidu to the left, and introduced Tariq Lamptey on the right wing position with Ebenezer Annan coming on for Baba Iddrisu later on. The switch gave Ghana more energy despite being reduced to 10-men in the 56th minute following a red card to Jerome Opoku.
On the other hand, Uganda were crashed 4-0 by Comoros in their first game and will come into this match as wounded lions hoping to have a go at the Stars to redeem themselves. Uganda have been a pain in the neck of Ghana in recent years with both nations having one win each in their last five games with the other three ending in a draw.
Ghana’s last win over Uganda was in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon where Andre Ayew scored a penalty to hand Ghana all the spoils in the group stage. Whiles Uganda’s last win dates back to 2015 when Savio Kabugo scored to give them the three points in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Kampala.
Ghana coach Otto Addo is expected to ring some changes to the squad by bringing in experienced players like Mohammed Salisu, Andre Ayew, Tariq Lamptey and Joseph Wollacott, whiles Ibrahim Osman, Ebenezer Annan, Francis Abu and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku wait for their chance.
The Black Stars are on a rebuilding exercise after crashing out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire following one defeat and two draws in the group phase.
The experience from these games will help Otto Addo to assess his team ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June. Ghana will travel to Bamako to take on Mali before hosting Central African Republic in Kumasi.
The game against Uganda is scheduled for 16:00Hrs Kick Off at Grande de Stade Marrakech on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
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