Jordan Ay

In a thrilling encounter at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, Ghana’s Black Stars came from behind to secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Mali in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Super-sub Jordan Ayew emerged as the hero, netting a dramatic late winner.

Ghana struggled early on, conceding a goal in the first half. Kamory Doumbia’s deflected shot gave Mali the lead after a dominant opening spell. The Black Stars, however, fought back in the second half with goals from Ernest Nuamah and Ayew.

Coach Otto Addo’s decision to start with a youthful lineup in a 3-4-3 formation seemed to struggle initially. Lawrence Ati Zigi, guarding the posts, made crucial saves early on to keep the team in the game. Despite Mali’s early pressure, Ghana managed to weather the storm and gradually found their footing.

The game’s first significant moment for Ghana came in the 36th minute when Tariq Lamptey’s cutback found Mohammed Kudus, whose shot was blocked. Moments later, Thomas Partey setup Antoine Semenyo, but the Bournemouth striker’s effort went wide. Mali capitalized on their strong first-half performance when Doumbia scored following a deflection.

Ghana emerged stronger in the second half, nearly equalizing immediately after the restart. Their persistence paid off in the 57th minute when Abdul Salis Samed delivered a precise cross, allowing Nuamah to level the score with a powerful header.

As the game approached its final stages, both teams had opportunities to clinch the win. However, it was Ghana who prevailed, thanks to Ayew’s late heroics. Coming off the bench with just ten minutes remaining, Ayew’s impact was immediate. He set up Partey for a one-on-one with the Mali goalkeeper, but the Arsenal midfielder failed to convert. Undeterred, Ayew scored the decisive goal deep into injury time, securing the win for Ghana.

This victory propels Ghana level on six points with Comoros at the top of Group I in the CAF World Cup qualifiers. The Black Stars are set to face the Central African Republic (CAR) in their next match in Kumasi on Monday, June 10. Meanwhile, Comoros could extend their lead if they win against Madagascar on Friday.

The victory not only boosts Ghana’s standing in the qualifiers but also provides a significant morale boost as they aim for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.