In a gripping encounter on Thursday night, Ghana secured a vital 2-1 victory over Mali in Bamako, marking their third win in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Jordan Ayew's late heroics, combined with Ernest Nuamah's earlier equalizer, propelled the Black Stars to a dramatic comeback after Mali initially took the lead through Doumbia in the first half.
Following this crucial win, Ghana now sits comfortably in the second spot in Group I.
Here's a breakdown of the performance of each Black Stars player:
Lawrence Ati-Zigi (7): The goalkeeper showcased his prowess with two crucial saves early in the game, keeping Ghana in contention. His distribution skills added to his commendable performance.
Tariq Lamptey (7.5): Lamptey, operating as the right wing-back, displayed remarkable energy and attacking prowess. His crosses provided ample opportunities, though some were not capitalized upon.
Alidu Seidu (7): Seidu's aggressive pressing and timely interceptions were notable, although his passing accuracy left room for improvement.
Alexander Djiku (7.5): Djiku exhibited leadership at the back, dealing effectively with Mali's attacks and demonstrating excellent awareness to thwart danger.
Mohammed Salisu (6.5): Despite a few errant passes, Salisu's dominance in aerial duels contributed to Ghana's defensive solidity.
Gideon Mensah (6): Mensah struggled defensively, losing concentration on Mali's goal and committing several errors throughout the game.
Salis Samed (5.5): Samed's quality assist for Nuamah's goal showcased his playmaking ability, though his decision-making was occasionally questionable.
Thomas Partey (7): Partey's presence in midfield was constant, offering valuable support and creating scoring opportunities with precise passing, though he missed a crucial chance late in the game.
Mohammed Kudus (6): Kudus showed glimpses of brilliance but was relatively subdued for much of the match, missing opportunities to make a significant impact.
Ernest Nuamah (6.5): Nuamah's well-timed header leveled the score for Ghana, though his performance waned in the second half after his goal.
Antoine Semenyo (6): Semenyo's industrious work rate was evident, but his lack of clinical finishing hindered Ghana's attacking threat.
Substitutes:
Elisha Owusu (5): Owusu struggled to make an impact during his brief appearance, receiving a yellow card in the process.
Jordan Ayew (7): Ayew's decisive contribution, including a crucial assist and the winning goal, demonstrated his effectiveness in a short period on the pitch.
Abdul Mumin (6): Mumin provided stability in defense after coming on, seamlessly slotting into the backline.
