Black Stars are set to face off against Mali later today, Monday, September 8, in the World Cup qualifier. The game is scheduled to be held at the Accra Sports Stadium at 7:00 pm GMT.

Following the Black Stars' disappointing draw when they played Chad at the Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on Thursday, September 4, every point matters.

Ghana’s draw with Chad added a point to their 15 points, which cemented their stand as number one in Group I with 16 points from 7 matches.

Ghana appeared on course for another victory in Group I when Jordan Ayew put them ahead in the 17th minute. But the Chadians struck late, with Celestine Ecua equalising in the 88th minute to frustrate the four-time African champions in N’Djamena.

Speaking after the match, Addo expressed disappointment that the Black Stars will have little time to regroup as they prepare to host Mali in a crucial Matchday 8 encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, with kick-off at 19:00 GMT.

Though a loss today would not lead to Black Stars’ elimination, it would jeopardise their chances of qualifying as the top team. What affirms a team’s qualification is when it emerges as first in its group.

Speaking ahead of the clash at a press briefing, Otto Addo expressed optimism, citing that the squad has learnt from whatever mistakes they made during the Chad game. He added that, tonight’s match being a home game, he anticipates good results, assuring fans of the team showing a “different face”.

“The whole team, everybody, was very disappointed after the draw in Chad. The expectation was high for us to win, and we were disappointed. We analysed the game very well and hope that we learned from this. I'm very, very sure we'll show another face here in front of the crowd. Yeah, surely it's easier to play at home with our spectators supporting us, pushing our last percentage out of the bodies of the players, but also to play in the evening on grass. I expect a different face of the players. I hope that we learned (sic) from the mistakes we made against Chad. The good thing is, at the end, we still have it in our own hands,” he stated.

Speaking on the competition against Mali, he minced no words, saying, “ We have to keep the pace high. It will be very, very difficult against Mali, and they're in good shape. So, yeah, I'm looking forward to tomorrow”.

Otto Addo also divulged his challenges during the game against Chad, citing restrictions. According to him, there were some tactical decisions he compromised; fielding players like Tariq and Caleb at positions that limited them from offering their full potential. The likes of Partey, who was missing from the squad, the coach explained, were under the weather and openly confused that he could not give the intensity needed for the game.

“I was a little bit restricted, to be honest. I know a lot of players were tired on the pitch. I was talking to Thomas at halftime during the match. Tell me, how do you feel? Come on. He said, I don't feel like I can bring intensity. He didn't train. He didn't eat. He had stomach problems, so I couldn't bring him. And Sulemana was injured, couldn't sprint. So, I was a little bit restricted. And just maybe to bring you also my tactical thoughts, I know that Caleb plays in midfield. I could have switched him into the midfield and Tariq Lamptey inside. But I was also worried, because I know the coach.

Sometimes when he's behind, he will put the tall central defenders up front and play the high line, if there's extra time to play just the long balls. And Tariq doesn't have that height. So, I was a little bit worried and restricted what to do. And the game, the goal came, and the whole team is in it. Me, myself, as well. I'm the first to question myself. What could I have done? But I just want to bring it into my thoughts. It was a difficult, very difficult decision, he added.

Currently, Mali is just four points behind, and Comoros is only three points back, though they’ve played one more game; any dip by Ghana tonight puts their qualification in jeopardy.

The Black Stars still have two more matches to play after today’s match with Chad. On October 6, the squad will face the Central African Republic in an away qualifier at the Stade Barthélemy Boganda in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. They’d then return home for a home qualifier with Comoros on October 14.

Meanwhile, Mali, though inconsistent, showed their teeth in a commanding 3-0 win over Comoros last time out. Dorgeles Nene, Kamory Doumbia, and Lassana Coulibaly all found the net, reminding everyone of the Eagles’ attacking quality.

Defensively, they remain one of the stingiest in the group, conceding only four times.

Coach Tom Saintfiet brushed aside concerns about the Accra pitch.

“The pitch is for both teams. We’ll play tomorrow on any surface and show our potential,” he said confidently at a post-match conference.

See Ghana’s squad list for tonight’s match

Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth), Gideon Mensah (AJ Auxerre), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton), Alexander Djiku (Fenerbahçe).

Also, Real Oviedo received a late call-up for a debut appearance in the senior team, Derrick Arthur Köhn of Union Berlin has also been called for the first time, and Joseph Paintsil has made a return following an injury sideline as well. Ireland-based goalkeeper, Anang, has been added to the mix.