Black Stars Defeat Mali to Revive World Cup Hopes

Ghana’s Black Stars kept their dream of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8.

The only goal of the match came from defender Alexander Djiku in the 49th minute, sealing three important points for Ghana in Group I of the qualifiers.

Head coach Otto Addo made four changes to the team that drew with Chad. Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Thomas Partey, and Kwasi Sibo were all introduced into the starting lineup. Their presence gave the Black Stars more balance and stability, especially in midfield and defense.

The first half of the game was tense, with few clear chances. Mali managed the only shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, but Ghana came closest to scoring when Antoine Semenyo, after a fine run by Mohammed Kudus on the right, fired just wide of the post. Both teams went into the break with the score still 0-0.

The second half, however, began with more urgency from the Black Stars. Just three minutes after the restart, Djiku took advantage of a loose ball following a corner kick. Jordan Ayew’s delivery fell perfectly to him, and he calmly slotted home to give Ghana the lead. The goal sent the home fans into wild celebrations.

From then on, Mali pressed forward in search of an equalizer, but Ghana’s defense stood firm. Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare made a couple of crucial saves, while Djiku and Salisu dealt with aerial balls and dangerous attacks. Thomas Partey also showed leadership in midfield, making a vital clearance to prevent Mali from scoring late in the game.

One of the bright spots of the evening was the performance of debutant Kwasi Sibo. The Real Oviedo midfielder was called up at the last minute due to injuries and suspensions in the squad. Paired with Partey in the middle of the park, Sibo impressed with his composure, ball recovery, and energy. Coach Otto Addo praised him after the match, describing him as “a warrior” and expressing confidence that he will grow even stronger with the team.

Mali tried everything in the final minutes, but Ghana’s determination and the support of the Accra crowd made the difference. The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric, with fans cheering every tackle, pass, and clearance. Even Mali’s coach admitted after the match that Ghana “played with 12 men” because of the passionate support from the stands.

The win pushes Ghana to the top of Group I with 19 points from eight matches, three points ahead of Madagascar. Mali, meanwhile, remain in fourth place with 12 points, making their path to qualification much harder.

For Ghana, the journey is not over. The Black Stars will face the Central African Republic on October 6 and Comoros on October 13 in their final two group games.