The senior national team is set to regroup in September for Matchday 7 and 8 of the qualifiers. Otto Addo’s side will face Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on September 4 before returning home to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 8.

Reflecting on Ghana’s back-to-back wins in March, Dauda expressed confidence that the team can maintain their momentum.

“In March, we played two games and we won, and Ghanaians showed up in their numbers to support the team. But that game is past, and we have games coming up. If we want to win, we need to score and work hard,” Dauda told GHOne TV.

“We will do our very best to win the games, but I also know it will not be easy. We need to work hard. I know the opponents will be analysing us, and we will also be analysing them. At this level, it is tough, but we need to win these two games if we want to go to the World Cup, which will not be easy, but I know we can do it,” he added.

Meanwhile, coach Otto Addo is expected to name his squad for the upcoming fixtures later this week. Ghana currently leads Group I with 15 points from six matches.

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The team will reconvene in September for Matchday 7 and 8 of the qualifiers, with Ghana set to face Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno before returning home to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Speaking to Citi Sports ahead of the fixtures, Dauda emphasized that the results from these encounters will be pivotal for Ghana’s qualification hopes.

“We have two games ahead of us, and we are calling on Ghanaians to pray for us, but we need to win these matches against Chad and Mali,” the former Black Stars goalkeeper said.

Currently, Ghana lead Group I with 15 points from six matches, positioning them strongly on the road to the 2026 World Cup.

The former Ghanaian internationals were appointed to the technical team earlier this year when Otto Addo resumed his role as head coach in March.

However, the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has sparked widespread criticism of the technical staff.

A review meeting was held last week to evaluate Otto Addo’s technical report, prompting the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to consider making changes to the team’s backroom staff.

The proposed changes are expected to impact the roles of assistant coach and goalkeepers’ trainer, positions currently held by Paintsil and Dauda.

The shake-up reportedly follows Otto Addo’s request for upgrades to his support staff during a recent meeting with the GFA Executive Council.

The Black Stars’ disappointing AFCON qualification campaign saw them finish at the bottom of Group F, managing only three points from three draws and three losses.

This marks the first time in 20 years that the four-time African champions will miss the continent’s premier football competition.

In the aftermath of the qualifiers, the Black Stars are set to return to international action in March 2025, where they will face Chad and Madagascar in the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Dauda spent eight years with the Miners from 2006 to 2013 before returning for a second stint from 2014 to 2016.

Following his impressive performances during his initial time with the club, Dauda became a target for several clubs both domestically and across the continent.

However, any potential moves away from AshGold never materialized.

According to Dauda, the club’s constant salary increments were a tactic to ensure he remained at the Len Clay Stadium.

“Anytime a new club wanted me, AshGold always said they wouldn’t let me go,” Dauda, who now serves as the Black Stars’ goalkeeper trainer, told Joy Sports. “They increased my salary, and I always ended up staying.”

The former Legon Cities goalkeeper also shared that he made significant investments with the money he earned during his time with the Miners.

“The first house I built was from AshGold, a four-bedroom apartment. At that time, if you were disciplined, you could achieve things with the money from the Ghana Premier League,” he added.

After ending his first stint with AshGold, Dauda joined Orlando Pirates before moving to Chippa United.

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Dauda is currently working alongside Addo, who previously served as a talent coach for Borussia Dortmund, with the senior national team.

The former Legon Cities goalkeeper highlighted Addo’s contributions following Ghana’s consecutive victories over Mali and the Central African Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“We are striving to improve, though progress takes time,” Dauda stated at the Ghana Football Awards held over the weekend. The past games are behind us, and the upcoming matches are crucial. Otto Addo consistently shares his ideas with the technical team.

He ensures we are all on the same page. He is not just a coach; he’s a manager who understands how to handle players,” Dauda added.

Ghana secured a 2-1 win against Mali in Bamako and a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, elevating them to second place in the Group I standings.

After retiring from a playing career that included competing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Dauda has transitioned into coaching.

Ghana’s next challenge will be the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, which commence in September later this year.

The Ghana Football Association [GFA] weeks ago named Chris Hughton as the head trainer for the national team following Otto Addo’s resignation.

Addo, who also serves as the talent coach for Borussia Dortmund, left his role following the country’s early exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Hughton, who is a former Brighton and Newcastle manager, will be assisted by George Boateng and Didi Dramani.

The new technical team will play their first game against Angola later this month in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifiers.

And according to Dauda, who is a former Black Stars goalkeeper, the new technical team will excel.

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“Chris Hughton and his assistants were with the Black Stars for the World Cup playoffs against Nigeria and led the team to the Mundial in Qatar,” the former Ashgold and Legon Cities goalkeeper told Asempa FM.

“For me, maintaining them was the best decision. I think they will maintain most of the players that played at the World Cup.

“The new technical team are wise and for me, they will perform,” he added.

Ghana will host Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium on March 23 before travelling to Luanda for the return leg in four days time.

The playing body of the current team has come under the spotlight following the last two friendly games against Brazil and Nicaragua.

The West African country suffered a 3-0 defeat against the five-time world champions before recording a narrow 1-0 win over the Central American country.

With less than three weeks to start of the tournament, the Black Stars will commence preparations for the upcoming Mundial on November 10 in Abu Dhabi.

However, the strength of the team will be tested against Switzerland in a friendly on November 17 before the team arrives in Doha on November 19.

With the quality of the team being questioned by many football fans, Dauda, who featured in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with the Black Stars is convinced the team has what it takes to go far.

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Speaking to Graphic Sports, the former Black Stars first choice goalkeeper insisted the team will make an impact with the quality of players available.

Ghana after exiting the group phase in Rio and after failing to qualify for the last edition of the Mundial hosted in Russia will be hoping to improve their performance.

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.

Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.

Ghana will wrap up their group stage adventure with their much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.

The 22nd edition of the biggest world football tournament will kick off from November 20 to December 18.

The couple released a photo of the naming ceremony of the baby boy on Saturday, January 29, 2022.

Dauda and Failatu married in March 2021.

The former Legon Cities player was first choice goalkeeper for the Black Stars at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

He played two matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

Dauda also had a short spell with Orlando Pirates in South Africa and also with Chippa United in the PSL.

In the photo, the duo made bold fashion statements in their suits as they serve family goals.

Mr Dauda was spotted in black suit while little Dauda wore black-gold themed suit and posed for the camera on the staircase.

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The footballer took to his Instagram page to post the photo in which they complemented their looks with expensive-looking black pair of shoes.

Proving to his fans and followers the pride in fatherhood, he wrote: Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven.

The post has warmed the hearts of many fans and followers who have taken to the comment section to shower them with praises.

The event took place in Tema Community 1 site 2 on Sunday, 21 March 2021.

The former Ghana No.1 returned to the Ghana Premier League after a successful stint with Nigerian side Enyimba.

He joined nouveau-riche Legon Cities FC where he has become the club’s No.1 and captain.

Dauda was first choice goalkeeper for the Black Stars at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and played three matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.

He also had a short spell with Orlando Pirates in South Africa and also with Chippa United in the PSL.

Fatau Dauda marries Faila Alhassan 

The Orlando Pirates goalkeeper picked up his second yellow card in the qualifiers on Thursday against Sudan at the cape Coast stadium, ruling him out of the 2nd leg in Khartoum.

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Fatau, thus, gets the nod to travel with the team for the reverse fixture scheduled for Omdurman, Sudan on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.

The Black Stars departed Accra on Sunday afternoon for the Sudan.