Ghana coach Otto Addo says the Black Stars are “fully focused and prepared” to beat Comoros in Accra on Sunday and clinch a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana top Group I on 22 points and, with one match left, victory at the Accra Sports Stadium would book a fifth World Cup appearance for the four-time African champions.
Addo described the tie as “crucial” and urged his players to channel the intensity that has driven their late surge in qualifying. Kick-off is at 7pm local time.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Addo said the squad had settled quickly after returning from club duties across Europe and beyond. Travel fatigue, he admitted, is part of the job.
“The boys play a lot of games and the journeys are not easy,” he noted, before adding that camp morale and preparation levels are where he wants them.
“Everything looks good and we’re happy with our work.”
The coach also made a direct appeal to supporters, promising a performance worthy of their backing across the campaign.
“We want to thank our fans with a win,” he said. “Even when we started and things didn’t look so good, they stayed with us. We go into this game with 100% focus.”
Addo warned against any complacency and was quick to praise Comoros’ progress. He called the visitors “strong and organised,” pointing out they are in Accra on merit after several years of steady improvement.
The coach expects a tight, physical encounter comparable to Ghana’s bruising win over Mali earlier in the window. “If we bring the right mentality, like we did against Mali, we will beat them,” he said.
On selection, Addo reported a largely clean bill of health, with only minor fitness checks to confirm before naming his XI.
Midfielder Elisha Owusu has a small issue to be assessed on matchday, and Gideon Mensah has been monitored for a shin complaint, but both are improving. “The rest are fine,” Addo said, indicating continuity is likely after recent strong displays.
The 49-year-old could become the first Ghanaian coach to lead the national team to the World Cup twice, but he downplayed any personal milestone.
“It’s never about me,” he insisted. “People talk when you lose and when you win, but it is always about us. The players are doing well. We hope to win and make it official.”
Addo rejected the idea that Ghana’s climb to the top of the group owed anything to fortune. Results, he argued, are rooted in hard work and clarity.
“We know what we do. We work hard. It’s not luck,” he said.
“Maybe it’s a blessing that we’re in this position, but we will do everything to make the dream come true and to qualify.”
Discipline and concentration, Addo stressed, must underpin Ghana’s approach for 90 minutes.
“This is sometimes the difference between a top team and an average team,” he said.
“You have to block out the noise, focus on the game and the three points, and finish this qualification in the best way possible.”
Ghana enter the final day with a clear target: win and the ticket to the expanded 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is theirs.
The Black Stars have rebuilt momentum in recent months, tightening up defensively while finding better fluency in attack, and now stand on the brink of returning to the global stage.
Comoros arrive with nothing to fear and plenty to spoil, but Ghana’s home form, the stakes and a packed Accra Sports Stadium set the stage for a decisive night.
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