Former Ghana midfielder, Michael Essien has cautioned that the Black Stars must prepare well for their upcoming games against Chad and Madagascar.
The four-time African champions will host Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium in the Matchday five games of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers before travelling to play Madagascar at the Al Hoceima Grand Stadium in Morocco on Monday, 24.
After enduring a worse campaign during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers where the team failed to record a single win, Essien has urged the playing body to prepare well and not underrate their opposition.
“Yes, we can but we have to prepare ourselves because I sometimes hate to hear that Black Stars couldn't beat this opposition,” he told Sporty FM.
“If you are playing against an underdog, you have to prepare well because have nothing to lose but for you, if you lose, it a news so we just to respect our opponents and prepare well for the games,” he added.
Ghana, who are seeking to play in the Mundial for the fifth time must win their upcoming games to strengthened their position in Group I.