Ghana’s Black Stars delivered a resounding 5-0 victory over Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, 2025, propelling them to the top of Group I in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The emphatic win marked their fourth victory in five matches and revived their qualification hopes after recent setbacks.
Dominant Performance in Accra
Otto Addo’s side wasted no time asserting dominance, with Antoine Semenyo scoring the opener just two minutes into the game. Iñaki Williams doubled the lead in the 31st minute, capitalizing on a swift attacking move, before Jordan Ayew sealed a 3-0 halftime advantage with a penalty conversion in the 36th minute.
The second half saw no letup as Mohammed Salisu headed home a fourth goal in the 56th minute, and Ernest Nuamah completed the rout with a composed finish in the 68th minute. Chad, rooted to the bottom of the group with zero points, offered little resistance, extending their winless streak to 11 matches across all competitions.
Strategic Implications for the Black stars
The victory moved Ghana to 12 points, overtaking Madagascar (10 points) and Comoros (9 points) in the standings. With Mali (8 points) and Central African Republic (4 points) trailing, the Black Stars now control their destiny ahead of their final group-stage fixture against Madagascar.
Key Takeaways
- Group I Standings:TeamPoints
- Ghana 12
- Madagascar 10
- Comoros 9
- Mali 8
- CAR 4
- Chad 0
- Debutant Shines: Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare earned praise for his composed debut, handling Chad’s limited threats with confidence.
- Contextual Pressure: The win followed crucial victories by Madagascar and Mali, which had heightened the stakes for Ghana.
Ghana’s next challenge comes on Monday, March 24, against Madagascar, where a win could secure direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup. The Black Stars’ resurgence underscores their determination to return to the global stage after a turbulent 2024 campaign
