By Kwame Bediako
As the Black Stars prepare to gather in Accra for a four-day training camp ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the players have been in action for their respective clubs over the weekend. The results were mixed, with some players impressing while others struggled to make an impact. Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, for example, was unable to add to his 12 clean sheets this season as Hearts of Oak suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Dreams FC.
In Europe, Lawrence Ati Zigi’s club St. Gallen lost 2-0 to Lausanne at home, while Joseph Wollacott’s Crawley Town were battered 5-1 by Huddersfield in the English League One. Kingsley Schindler, who has been listed in the Black Stars squad as a right-back, featured for Samsunspor in their big game against Fenerbahce in the Turkish Superlig, helping his team to a goalless draw.
Other Black Stars players, such as Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus, were also in action for their clubs. Partey played the full 90 minutes as Arsenal recorded a 1-0 victory over Chelsea, while Kudus played 89 minutes for West Ham in their 1-1 draw against Everton.
The team’s captain, Jordan Ayew, was afforded just a few minutes as Leicester City were thrashed 3-0 by Manchester United on Sunday. Ayew came on in the 89th minute and barely impacted the game before the final whistle. Meanwhile, Inaki Williams was in action for 90 minutes for Athletic Bilbao, who recorded an important 1-0 win over Sevilla away from home.
The Black Stars will face Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, and then travel to Morocco to take on Madagascar in another Group I fixture on Monday, March 24.
The team will be looking to build on their recent performances and secure crucial wins in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
