As the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers heat up, Ghana’s head coach Otto Addo is preparing to take a carefully measured approach against Madagascar in a high-stakes encounter.

The Black Stars will face the Barea at the Al Hoceima Grand Stadium in Morocco on Monday night, with both teams eyeing the crucial three points that could shape their qualification journey.

Ghana enters the match riding the momentum of a commanding victory over Chad in the fifth round at the Accra Sports Stadium. That 4-0 triumph propelled the Black Stars to the top of Group I with 12 points, reaffirming their ambitions of securing a World Cup berth.

Madagascar, however, is not to be underestimated. The Barea are full of confidence after an impressive 4-1 away victory against the Central African Republic, which kept them firmly in the qualification race. With 10 points, they sit just two behind Ghana, making Monday’s clash a pivotal showdown.

Understanding the stakes, Coach Otto Addo is expected to adopt a pragmatic game plan, focusing on defensive solidity while seeking opportunities to strike. His approach reflects the importance of securing back-to-back wins to strengthen Ghana’s World Cup ambitions.

“We know how tough this game will be, but we are prepared to fight for the result,” Addo remarked as his team fine-tuned preparations.

A win for Ghana would not only maintain their grip on the top spot but also widen the gap between themselves and their closest challengers. Meanwhile, Madagascar is equally motivated to claim victory and leapfrog the Black Stars in the standings.

With the battle lines drawn, all eyes will be on the Al Hoceima Grand Stadium as these two determined sides clash in a match that could shape their World Cup destiny.