Ghana last played in March, when they beat West African rivals Nigeria on the away goal rule to secure a spot in the 2018 World Cup in November.
This came after a disastrous campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations in January, when they were eliminated in the group stage after only one point from three games.
Despite their World Cup qualification triumph, the four-time African Cup of Nations champions have won none of their previous six matches, drawing three and losing three since a 1-0 victory against South Africa in November 2021.
Otto Addo’s side, on the other hand, will fancy their chances of breaking the drought when they return home, where they have gone unbeaten in eight games in a row, with six victories and two draws since their last defeat in 2020.
Madagascar, on the other hand, will be looking to make their second appearance at the continental showpiece, following their first appearance in 2019, when they advanced to the quarter-finals before falling to Tunisia.
After placing third in the qualifiers, the Barea nearly missed out on a spot in the 2022 edition.
Madagascar enters Wednesday’s match after a poor World Cup qualifying campaign in which they finished last in Group J, seven points behind group champions Congo DR.
Team news
For their forthcoming qualification games, Addo has picked a 33-man roster that includes experienced defender Denis Odoi, Leicester City’s Daniel Amartey, and Roma prodigy Felix Afena-Gyan.
Rennes midfielder Kamaldeen Sulemana has also been called up, while Mubarak Wakaso makes his comeback after missing the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
Andre Ayew, who is currently seven games away from surpassing Ghana’s all-time appearance record, secures his spot in the team after missing both legs of the World Cup qualification match against Nigeria in March due to suspension.
Antoine Semenyo, a 22-year-old striker who scored eight goals and added 12 assists for Bristol City in the Championship, has also been called up to the Black Stars’ senior squad for the first time.
Meanwhile, Dupuis has been reappointed as the Barea head coach, with the goal of qualifying for the 2023 AFCON after an 11-month absence.
The 52-year-old has picked a 27-man squad for his first job, which includes Bayern Munich teenager Remy Vita, who made 19 appearances for Barnsley in the Championship while on loan, and LA Galaxy midfielder Rayan Raveloson.
Paulin Voavy, Jerome Mombris, Ibrahim Amada, and Njiva Rakotoharimalala were all members of the 2019 AFCON side that advanced all the way to the quarter-finals in Egypt.
Ghana possible starting lineup:
Wollacott; Odoi, Amartey, Mensah, Rahman; Baba, Kyereh; A. Ayew, Kudus, J Ayew; Afena-Gyan
Madagascar possible starting lineup:
Melvin, Vita, Razafindrabe, Bertrand, Fontaine; Lapoussin, Raveloson, Ilaimaharitra, Voavy; Rakotondraibe, Donisa
Prediction: Ghana 3-0 Madagascar
Ghana have been strong at home and face a struggling Madagscar side with just some win in the last three years. The Black Stars have enough quality to comfortably take all three points.
Our top tip: Ghana win and over 1.5
