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The Black Stars of Ghana made a significant stride in their quest to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by securing a crucial 2-1 victory over Mali in Bamako. This win marks their second triumph in three games in the qualifiers, demonstrating their strong intent and capability.
In a dramatic turn of events, veteran forward Jordan Ayew emerged as the hero of the match. Initially left out of the starting lineup, the Crystal Palace player made a decisive impact after being substituted in for Antoine Semenyo in the 79th minute. Ayew scored the winning goal in the 94th minute, sealing the victory for Ghana.
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The match began with Ghana trailing, as Mali scored near the end of the first half. Kamory Doumbia’s goal came in an unfortunate manner for Ghana; his shot was deflected off Alexander Djiku, resulting in a lucky goal for the Stade Brest midfielder.
However, Ghana came back stronger in the second half. Otto Addo’s team equalized in the 56th minute with a powerful header from Ernest Nuamah. The Black Stars continued to push for the lead, creating several opportunities.
The decisive moment came when substitute Abdul Fatawu Issahaku capitalized on a mistake by Mali. He dispossessed the Malian defense and set up Jordan Ayew, who scored Ghana’s second goal on his second attempt, securing a vital win for the Black Stars.
This victory boosts Ghana’s position in the qualifiers and reinforces their determination to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
