Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has labeled Ghana’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Madagascar as a “small final,” emphasizing the significance of securing victory to boost their qualification hopes.

Following Ghana’s last triumph, spirits are high, but Addo remains cautious, urging his players to stay focused and give their all.

“I know everybody was excited, everybody was happy about our last win, but we still have a long way to go,” he said. “We need everyone to be at the top of their level. We need every player to be at 100%.”

The Black Stars coach stressed that Madagascar will not be an easy opponent, especially given their recent performances. He acknowledged the quality of the Malagasy side and the challenges they could pose.

“This is like a small final. If we win this game, then we are really going towards qualifying, but it’s going to be very tough,” Addo admitted. “We have seen the Madagascar team, and they have done really well, especially in their last game, so it’s going to be a tough match.”

With the stakes high, Ghana will need to bring their best performance to the pitch, knowing that a victory will push them closer to securing a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As the team fine-tunes its preparations, Addo’s words serve as a rallying call for the players to approach the game with the urgency and intensity it demands.