A 94th-minute header from Lewis Koumas denied the Black Stars victory over Wales in an all-important international friendly on Tuesday night.
Coach Carlos Queiroz’s side was held to a pulsating 1-1 stalemate by the Dragons in a fixture that serves as preparation for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, scheduled to be played across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Wales looked promising in the early minutes, with Daniel James testing Ghana’s Lawrence Ati-Zigi with an audacious shot in the 12th minute. The FC St. Gallen goalkeeper brilliantly denied the 28-year-old the opener.
James came close again to give the hosts the lead in the 14th minute, but his strike hit the woodwork, offering the Black Stars a sigh of relief.
Ghana took over possession before the half-hour mark and had an opportunity to snatch the lead when Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow erred in the 29th minute. However, Jordan Ayew failed to capitalize as the Leeds United shot-stopper claimed the ball with a one-on-one save.
On the stroke of halftime, AJ Auxerre right-back Marvin Senaya nearly registered his debut goal for the Black Stars with a long-range strike, but his effort was fisted out by Karl Darlow.
In the second half, the Black Stars stood resolute against the early inroads from Wales’ attackers and capitalized on a counterattack to grab the lead after the hour mark.
Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz made several changes after the break, introducing Benjamin Asare, Caleb Yerenkyi, Ernest Nuamah, Brandon Thomas-Asante, Iñaki Williams, Alidu Seidu, Baba Rahman, and others.
Substitute Caleb Yerenkyi snatched the lead for Ghana in the 66th minute when a strike from Nuamah hit the post, and he calmly placed the rebound beyond the reach of Karl Darlow to give Ghana a 1-0 lead.
Ghana held on to the lead until Lewis Koumas leveled the score in the 94th minute with a powerful header from Nico Williams’ low cross.
The Black Stars will continue their preparations with another friendly against Jamaica on June 10, 2026, before they commence their World Cup campaign against Panama.
Ghana will later take on the Three Lions of England and Croatia in the other Group L matches.
