Ghanaians will certainly not forgive the Black stars if they fail to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be played in North America across the USA,
Ghanaians will certainly not forgive the Black stars if they fail to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be played in North America across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Ahead of the crucial game in Bamako, Ghana had been beaten by minnows Comoros and had won narrowly against Madagascar making the tie a make-or-break affair.
Eric Chelle’s Mali started the game as the best side after forcing Lawrence Ati Zigi to make two crucial saves. Ghana struggled in almost every department in the initial stages of the first half.
Mali put the Black Stars under immense pressure limiting Otto Addo’s men to their half. The closest Ghana came in the first half was when Antoine Semenyo’s curling effort went a whisker of the left post.
Mali continued their attack until they, fortunately, took the lead through Kamory Doumbia on the stroke of halftime. Mali deserved the lead as they had 7 goal attempts with three on target compared to Ghana’s four goal attempts with zero on target.
Things needed to change for Black Stars after the flat performance in the first half. Ghana began to open up Mali’s defence with Abdul Salis Samed crossing the ball accurately for Nuamah to outjump everyone to plant a wonderful header to level the score 1-1.
The second half was all Ghana as they improved massively compared to the first half. Abdul Fatawu Issahaku assisted Jordan Ayew in scoring the winner for Ghana. It was the first win for Black Stars in the whole of 2024.
Ghana has leapfrogged Mali to second with Comoros still occupying the first place. Ghana will host the Central African Republic in Kumasi on Monday and a win will take the Black Stars to 9 points.
Mali on the other hand travels to Madagascar in MD4.
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