Chris Hughton, the head coach of the Black Stars, has emphasized how important it is for Ghana to win on Friday in order to advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Before any other assignment, the gaffer believes that the players and technical staff should focus their attention on the two opening games of the qualifying series against Madagascar and Comoros.

The coach told the media prior to Ghana’s match against Madagascar, “I am very aware of how important these two games are. I know we have the AFCON tournament in January, but at this moment all our concentration is on these two very important fixtures,” he stated to the press.

“I know what they really mean to the members of the squad and for those that we work for.”

Kickoff is Friday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi at 4 p.m.