The Black Stars of Ghana secured a crucial 2-1 away victory against the Eagles of Mali in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on matchday three.
This win marks Ghana’s first competitive away victory since 2022, when they defeated Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifier in South Africa. It also breaks a 10-match winless streak across all competitions.
After a disappointing 1-0 loss to Comoros, Ghana needed at least a draw to keep their World Cup hopes alive. Under the guidance of Coach Otto Addo, who was overseeing his first competitive game, the team now has six points out of a possible nine, revitalizing their qualification prospects.
In a thrilling match on Thursday in Bamako, Ghana stunned Mali, securing a crucial 2-1 victory at the Stade du Mars.
Mali took the lead just before half-time with a goal from Kamory Doumbia, who capitalized on a defensive error from Ghana. However, the Black Stars displayed great resilience and made strategic changes in the second half.
Youngster Ernest Nuamah equalized with a header from a well-placed cross by Salis Abdul Samed. Then, in stoppage-time, Jordan Ayew of Crystal Palace became the hero, scoring the winning goal after coming on as a substitute.
Before the equalizer, Bournemouth’s Antoine Selorm Semenyo had missed several scoring opportunities, reflecting Ghana’s initial struggles in the game.
The victory not only ends a prolonged period without an away win but also sets the Black Stars on a promising path toward qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Coach Otto Addo’s successful debut in competitive play has given fans renewed hope and confidence in the team’s potential.
