Black Stars Edge Mali to Revive World Cup Qualification Hopes
Ghana reignited their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday night, thanks to a scrappy but decisive strike from defender Alexander Djiku.
The Black Stars entered the contest under heavy scrutiny after dropping points in their previous outing against Chad, but Otto Addo’s men rose to the occasion with a resilient performance that delivered all three points before an electric home crowd.
The breakthrough arrived just four minutes into the second half. A corner kick swung into the Malian box was poorly dealt with by goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, and Djiku reacted quickest, stabbing the ball over the line to spark jubilant celebrations across the stands.
Moments earlier, teenager Caleb Yirenkyi had nearly broken the deadlock when his long-range thunderbolt crashed against the woodwork, a sign of Ghana’s increased urgency after a cautious opening 45 minutes.
Mali, however, refused to fold. The Eagles dominated possession for long stretches of the second half, applying constant pressure and forcing the hosts into defensive mode. Yet, Ghana’s backline, marshalled by Djiku and bolstered by safe handling from the goalkeeper, stood resolute against the waves of attacks.
Further upfield, Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus pressed tirelessly but struggled to carve out clear chances against Mali’s disciplined rearguard. In midfield, captain Thomas Partey’s composure and leadership proved invaluable in steadying the side during Mali’s late push for an equaliser.
The hard-earned result breathes new life into Ghana’s campaign, pushing them back into the race for qualification in Group I. While the performance left room for improvement, the victory was a timely confidence booster for a side eager to prove its credentials on the road to 2026.
For Mali, the defeat marked their first setback of the qualifiers. They will lament wasted opportunities and Diarra’s error that gifted Ghana the decisive goal, but they remain well in contention as the group battle intensifies.
With qualification finely poised, Ghana’s gritty triumph under the Accra floodlights could become a turning point in their journey to the global stage.
