Otto Addo Hails Black Stars’ Resilience but Regrets Missed Chances in Win Over Mali

Black Stars boss Otto Addo has praised his side’s battling spirit in their 1-0 triumph over Mali in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, though he admitted frustration with their failure to seal the game in the final stages.

Defender Alexander Djiku’s improvised strike just four minutes after the restart settled a tense contest before a lively crowd at the Accra Sports Stadium.

While delighted with the result, Addo was quick to point out that his players squandered chances on the break that could have put the match beyond Mali’s reach.
“We had some chances to finish the game, counters where we maybe could have scored the second goal but we couldn’t take use of these situations,” the coach reflected.

Addo, however, applauded the commitment of his backline, whose discipline and resolve secured the three points.
“We really fought well… thanks to the defence, they really gave their all and defended well,” he said.

The victory consolidates Ghana’s lead in Group I with 19 points, three clear of nearest rivals Madagascar. The four-time African champions now need just four points from their last two fixtures to book their ticket to the 2026 World Cup.