Ghana edge Mali to strengthen World Cup qualification hopes

The Black Stars of Ghana earned a vital 1–0 win against Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium, thanks to a 49th-minute goal from defender Alexander Djiku, after the visitors began the game strongly and posed a significant threat.

In the first half, Ghana’s opponents had a couple of chances but failed to capitalize on any.

The result propels Ghana to 19 points at the top of Group I, creating a three-point gap over second-placed Madagascar and firmly establishing the Stars’ control over their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification destiny.

Mali entered the contest unbeaten in their last eight official matches and boasted an impressive run of clean sheets.

However, that defensive resilience was broken early in the second half when Djiku capitalized on a set-piece to put Ghana ahead.

Despite a spirited push from the Eagles, they could not find a way back, registering their first defeat in nearly a year. The victory extends Ghana’s fine form at home and reaffirms their ability to grind out results in high-stakes fixtures.

For Mali, the loss is a setback in their qualification charge, although they remain firmly in contention for at least the playoff spot. With just two games left in the group, Ghana’s path to the 2026 World Cup in North America is looking increasingly clear, while Mali must regroup quickly to keep its hopes alive.