Ghana have enhanced their qualification chances with an important 1-0 win over Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium in round 8 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Both teams started the game on a blistering note and and took the game at each other leaving a very open and exciting game in the early stages.
Despite the high tempo of the game, the two sides struggled to create chances and made less attempts on goal especially in the first half.
Kudus Mohammed’s cross in the 25th minute looked very dangerous as it was directed towards Antoine Semenyo at far post but was parried away by goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.
Mali were awarded a free kick few moments later, skipper Aliou Dieng went for a power but went straight at the throat of goalkeeper Benjamin Asare.
In the dying embers of the first half, Kudus made a good run and picked up Antoine Semenyo in the box but failed to score from a close range.
In the second half, the Black Stars bounced back stronger and nearly found the back of the net but Yirenkyi had his shot went off the post and resulted into a corner kick.
Jordan Ayew took a deep delivery which Djigui missed the ball totally but Alexander Djiku tapped in at far post to get the opening goal for Ghana.
In their quest to getting the leveler, Amadou Fofana made a good run into enemy territory and sent a strong hit but went across the face of goal.
The Eagles were given a free kick in the 85th minute, Kamory Doumbia went for it in what looked very dangerous as Benjamin Asare didn’t parry it well but was subsequently cleared out by Thomas Partey. It finished 1-0 after full-time
Ghana have now opened a three-point lead at the summit as they lead Group I with 19 points at the moment and will face Central African Republic next
