An intriguing Group I features the new darlings of African football, Comoros, and a traditional powerhouse in Ghana at the top of the group currently. Madagascar are eager to improve their decent position while an underperforming Mali team must get results in March to avoid playing catch up. Read more below on the interesting matches and what each team needs to do in March.
Group I Table (4 matches played)
Points | |
Comoros | 9 |
Ghana | 9 |
Madagascar | 7 |
Mali | 5 |
Central African Republic | 4 |
Chad | 0 |
The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of the nine runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
March Fixtures
March 19- CA Republic vs Madagascar (Casablanca, Morocco)
March 20- Comoros vs Mali (Berkane, Morocco)
March 21- Ghana vs Chad (Accra, Ghana)
March 24- CA Republic vs Mali (Casablanca, Morocco)
March 24- Madagascar vs Ghana (Al Hoceima, Morocco)
March 25- Comoros vs Chad (Berkane, Morocco)
Evaluation
After a disastrous 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign that saw them miss out on the AFCON finals for the first time in over twenty years, the Black Stars of Ghana need to redeem themselves. While they typically save their best for World Cup and World Cup qualifying, a fierce Comoros team stands in their way of first place in Group I. Comoros will be based in the Moroccan city of Berkane, a venue that has been very kind to them and a second home.
While Madagascar are a capable team that has done well to be in the running, a talented Mali team are expected to make a charge and Les Aigles must get a positive result when they face Comoros in Morocco. Ghana must take care of business and get six points to put the pressure on both Comoros and Mali who each have much at stake when they clash.
Key Players
Mohammed Kudus- Ghana (Club: West Ham United [ENG])
It must be difficult time to be the Ghanaian playmaker. The criticism is getting louder and louder not only at English Premier League club West Ham United but also among Ghanaians with heightened expectations for club and country having a noticeable effect. The reality remains that Kudus is a highly influential player when in good form but he needs two strong performances in March to shut up his doubters.
Fortunately for the Black Stars and Kudus, they have two very winnable matches with a domestic-based Chad side to open up the window before avoiding having to face Madagascar on the island nation. With a World Cup appearance at stake, look for the talented attacker to be extra motivated when playing for his nation with Thomas Partey back supporting him in the midfield.
Myziane Maolida- Comoros (Club: Al Kholood [KSA])
One of many French-born dual national players in the Comoros team, Maolida's decision to represent the island nation in 2023 has completely changed the trajectory of his career. A former promising French youth international, when Maolida made his debut for Comoros he was in the midst of a failed move to Germany where he was playing for the reserve team of Hertha Berlin.
Maolida's form for Comoros put his name back into the European transfer market and now the 26-year-old is thriving in the Saudi Pro League while being an essential player for the Coelacanths. With three goals scored earlier in the qualifying campaign including the winner in a 1-0 victory over Ghana, Maolida is in peak form and ready to be the main source of goals for his country.
Yves Bissouma- Mali (Club: Tottenham Hotspur [ENG])
A big money move to Tottenham ahead of the 2022-23 season has seen Bissouma become an adequate player for Spurs but perhaps not as influential as hoped. However, the central midfielder continues to be an important piece in an excellent Malian midfield and he is taking on more responsibilities after being named captain of Les Aigles.
Now with Mali's World Cup qualification hopes in serious danger, the captain must increase his level and inspire his team to victory. Unlike Ghana earlier in qualifying, Mali does not have to play their away match against Comoros on the island nation but it will still be a difficult match that requires Bissouma's best. Let's see if the 28-year-old former Brighton star can prove he has the leadership abilities to spark Mali and justify the faith of recently hired head coach Tom Saintfiet.
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