Match: Ghana v The Gambia Venue: Accra Sports Stadium Kick-off time: 4 pm Date: 29th September, 2026 Referee: Mustapha Kechchaf (Morocco)
Match: Ghana v The Gambia
Venue: Accra Sports Stadium
Kick-off time: 4 pm
Date: 29th September, 2026
Referee: Mustapha Kechchaf (Morocco)
Preview
It is a must-win match for Ghana as anything less than that will put the Black Stars in a dire situation. Ghana got off to a poor start in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers with an insipid 2-0 defeat in Bouake against Ivory Coast. Carlos Queiroz’s performance as the head coach of Ghana since he replaced Otto Addo could be described as mediocre because Ghanaians are yet to see the attacking and free-flowing football that once set them apart from their opponents. The fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium is so important that defeat for Ghana can cause chaos. Ghana did not qualify for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, and people can not imagine the Black Stars failing to travel to East Africa for the biggest showpiece in African Football in the summer of 2027.
The Gambia on the other hand also did not impress much against the lowly Somalia in their 2-1 victory – even though they did the most important thing by winning the three points. The Gambia just like Ghana missed the 2025 AFCON having announced what they can do in the 2021 and 2023 AFCONs in Cameroon and Ivory Coast respectively under the guidance of Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet. Northern Irish head coach Jonathan McKinstry, 41, is tasked with helping the Scorpions return to the biggest stage on the continent and has a lot to do considering how the team struggled to smash Somalia into pieces.
Team News
Ghana
The Black Stars will need to step up, as whoever gets the nod will try to catch the attention of Carlos Queiroz and the fans. Ghana’s 4-4-2 formation against Ivory Coast failed to deliver, and many fans are expecting Queiroz to go all out in 4-3-3 to chase goals. Hearts of Oak’s Benjamin Asare could be in contention to start at the expense of Ati-Zigi, who was beaten in the near post by Malick Yalcouye’s shot for Ivory Coast’s first goal in Bouake. Not many changes are expected in Carlos Quieroz’s lineup but Augustine Boakye who shone in the 2-0 defeat as a substitute, could get a place in the starting 11. Alexander Djiku has returned to Spartak Moscow due to an injury he sustained against Ivory Coast in the 71st minute. Adjetey, who replaced him, is expected to partner Jerome Opoku in the central defence slot.
The Gambia
The Gambia were already missing Brighton & Hove Albion’s pacey and aggressive winger Yancouba Minteh due to injury. His absence was felt in the slim 2-1 win over Somalia, with Colley and Ceesay expected to step up at the Accra Sports Stadium from the flanks. The Scorpions have complained about persecution from Ghana, claiming they were not allowed to use the changing room of the Accra Sports Stadium before training.
H2H
Ghana and the Gambia’s only competitive fixture was played in the Cup of Nations qualifier, in Group 3 of the 1996 tournament. The match was played on 12 November 1994 at the Independence Stadium in Banjul, and Ghana won 2-1 away from home. Charles Akunnor and Frank Amankwah scored for Ghana, and Tamsir Manneh scored for Gambia. The result was later annulled because The Gambia and Niger both withdrew from the Group; therefore, no competitive fixture has been played between the two West African nations.
Current Form
Ghana (LLLDW)
Ivory Coast 2-0 Ghana
Colombia 1-0 Ghana
Croatia 2-1 Ghana
England 0-0 Ghana
Ghana 1-0 Panama
Gambia (WLLDW)
Gambia 2-1 Somalia
Iran 3-1 Gambia
Senegal 3-1 Gambia
Kuwait 2-2 Gambia
Seychelles 0-7 Gambia
Probable Lineups
Ghana XI (4-3-3)
Asare (GK)
Mensah-Opoku-Adjetey-Peprah 9DF)
Sibo-Yirenkyi (CM)
Fatawu-Boakye-Nuamah (FW)
Thomas-Asante (ST)
The Gambia XI (3-4-2-1)
Gaye (GK)
Saine-Colley-Bojang (DF)
Ceesay-Barry-Bajo-Sanyang (MDF)
Fader-Colley (FW)
Ceesay (ST)
Prediction
Ghana 2-1 Gambia
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