Inaki Williams late header was enough for Ghana to record a vital 1-0 win over Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium to set off a good start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Coach Chris Hughton started with an unfamiliar line today, having gone in for a double pivot with Iddrisu Baba and Salis Abdul Samed all making the starting line up.
However, Inaki Williams was deployed to the right whiles Jordan Ayew takes the role on the left with Antoine Semenyo leading the lines.
The first half was really a tough one for the Black Stars who were virtually outplayed and were dominated completely in terms possession and shots at goal.
In the second half, the Black Stars returned on a blistering note thanks two early substitutions made by manager Chris Hughton- introducing Denis Odoi and Majeed Ashimeru to replace Alidu Seidu and Iddrisu Baba.
Inaki Williams scored after tapping into the net from a teasing cross from the right but was ruled out for offside by the assistant referee II Naciri Hamza.
Both Ghana and Madagascar subsequently had some decent opportunities fell on their paths but couldn't make good use of all these chances.
However, with just a minute to full time, Inaki Williams headed into the net from Gideon Mensah's cross to hand Ghana the lead- a debut goal for him and one that left the Kumasi fans in complete raptures.
It ended 1-0 after full time for the Black Stars who will face Comoros in match-day 2 of the qualifiers on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 in Moroni.
