Ghana host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium in Afcon Qualifiers

Ghana will be looking to revive its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign when the Black Stars host The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium today, but the biggest question facing Carlos Queiroz is whether his side will show enough attacking ambition.

The Black Stars began their Group C campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké, leaving them without a point or a goal from their opening match. The Gambia, meanwhile, arrive in Accra with three points after defeating Somalia 2-1.

Gambia players celebrating a goal

For Ghana, the response must go beyond simply avoiding another defeat. Playing away against Côte d’Ivoire required caution against a strong side on home soil, but today’s circumstances are different. The Black Stars are at home, and while The Gambia deserves respect, Ghana possesses enough quality to take the initiative.

Queiroz must, therefore, resist the temptation to rely on the defensive approach seen in Bouaké. Ghana needs to attack with purpose put the Gambian defence under pressure and make their quality count.

The circumstances surrounding the squad have not made the task easier. Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew, Abdul Rahman Baba, Nathaniel Adjei, Prince Kwabena Adu and Alidu Seidu were among those unavailable for the opening fixture, forcing Queiroz to make significant adjustments.

The coach consequently brought in additional players including Jonas Adjetey, Ebenezer Annan, Rockson Yeboah and Rahim Ibrahim, while Brandon Thomas-Asante, Mohammed Fuseini, Benjamin Tetteh and Felix Afena-Gyan added options in attack.

Those absences partly explain Ghana’s difficulties in Bouaké, but they do not remove the need for a more ambitious performance in Accra.

Black Stars need attacking initiative

Ghana’s recent scoring record underlines the urgency. The Black Stars have won once, drawn twice and lost three times in their last six matches, scoring only three goals and failing to find the net in their last three outings.

That makes today’s match an important test of Queiroz’s attacking philosophy.

Against Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana spent much of the game defending and attempting to contain their opponents. There was logic to that approach given the quality of the Ivorians and the fact that Ghana were playing away from home.

But replicating that strategy against The Gambia would be difficult to justify.

Ghana is now playing in Accra, where they should be looking to control the game rather than surrender initiative. The Gambia has already shown that they can be dangerous, but the Black Stars have the individual quality to push them back.

Ghana must also improve the speed and quality of their movement in the final third. Possession without penetration will simply allow The Gambia to settle into a compact defensive shape.

The midfield has an equally important role. Without Partey, other players must be willing to progress the ball and support attacks rather than allowing the forwards to become isolated.

The Gambia arrive with confidence

The Scorpions will enter the match with the advantage of having already secured three points.

Johnny McKinstry, Gambia coach

They defeated Somalia 2-1 in their opening qualifier, with Ebrima Colley opening the scoring from the penalty spot before the Gambians eventually found the winning goal.

Their recent record also points to an attacking side. The Gambia has recorded two wins, one draw and three defeats in their last six matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding 13.

Ghana will therefore have to remain alert, particularly when possession is lost.

The visitors also have less immediate pressure. Having won their opening match, they can afford to be patient and allow Ghana to carry the burden of taking the game forward. That could see the Scorpions defend compactly before attempting to exploit spaces on the counter.

It is precisely why Ghana’s approach will matter.

If the Black Stars are too cautious, they could allow The Gambia to grow into the game. If they attack intelligently, however, they can force the visitors deeper and create the opportunities required to secure the three points.

Ghana’s position makes victory particularly important. Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia began the campaign with wins, while Ghana and Somalia lost their opening fixtures. A home victory would put the Black Stars on the board and prevent the early leaders from gaining further ground.

The Accra Sports Stadium should provide Ghana with the setting to respond, but home advantage must be reflected in their football.

For now, the message is straightforward: Ghana must respond, and the response should be an attacking one.

The players and Coaching staff in a prayer session before training

The Black Stars have the home advantage, the quality and the opportunity to put their campaign back on track. What they need from Queiroz is a tactical approach that allows those strengths to come to the fore.

After defending for long periods in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana must now show that they can take the game to an opponent.

Against The Gambia, the Black Stars should respect the threat, but they should also play with the ambition expected of a team determined to win.

By Jesse Otoo

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