The Black Stars of Ghana revived their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a hard-fought victory over Mali, securing three vital points to stay in contention for a place at the tournament.
Playing in front of a charged atmosphere at Accra Sports Stadium, the Black Stars showed resilience and tactical discipline to stun the Eagles of Mali.
The win lifts Ghana up the table, reigniting hopes of booking a ticket to the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
Mali started on the brighter of the two sides, pressing high and forcing Ghana onto the back foot.
The decisive moment came in the 49th minute when Alexander Djiku reacted quickest inside the box to turn home after Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra failed to deal with a corner kick silencing Mali.
Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus worked tirelessly in attack but found clear openings hard to come by against Mali’s compact backline.
The victory is not just about points on the board but also about morale. After a patchy start to the qualifiers, Ghana’s performance against Mali will boost confidence ahead of their remaining fixtures.
Key players stepped up on the night, with the defense holding firm and the attack showing a clinical edge when it mattered most.
With this result, Ghana keeps its World Cup dream alive, while Mali will rue missed chances and defensive lapses.
The race for qualification remains tight, but the Black Stars have proven they still have the fight and quality to compete on Africa’s biggest stage.
