Jordan Ayew came off the bench to score a late winner, securing a 2-1 victory for Ghana against Mali in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako on Thursday evening.
The Black Stars faced a tough challenge, initially falling behind to Kamory Doumbia’s deflected shot. However, second-half goals from Ernest Nuamah and Ayew turned the game around.
✅ 𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 – Big win in Bamako! 🥳
🇲🇱 Mali 1️⃣-2️⃣ Ghana 🇬🇭 #BlackStars | #FIFAWCQ
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) June 6, 2024
Coach Otto Addo chose to start without Ayew, opting for a youthful and energetic lineup in a 3-4-3 formation. Lawrence Ati Zigi was in goal, with a defensive trio of Alexander Djiku, Seidu Alidu, and Mohammed Salisu. The midfield featured Thomas Partey and Abdul Salis Samed, with Gideon Mensah and Tariq Lamptey as wing-backs. In attack, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo was flanked by Mohammed Kudus and Ernest Nuamah.
Mali dominated the early stages, creating several chances. Ati Zigi was kept busy, making crucial saves to deny Lassine Sinayoko twice in the first ten minutes. Ghana struggled to find their rhythm, with Kudus’ wayward shot in the 20th minute being their only notable effort initially. However, they grew into the game, ending the first half strongly but trailing due to Doumbia’s fortunate goal.
🤩 Big win on the road! Thanks to our amazing fans who cheered us on in Bamako! 🫶🏾❤️
See you in Kumasi on Monday 👊🏾
🇲🇱 Mali 1️⃣-2️⃣ Ghana 🇬🇭 #BlackStars | #BringBackTheLove pic.twitter.com/hFt2nGm4B1
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) June 6, 2024
After the break, Ghana almost equalized immediately when Lamptey’s cross just missed connecting with Semenyo. The equalizer finally came in the 57th minute, when Nuamah headed in a precise cross from Salis.
Both teams had opportunities to take the lead in the final quarter-hour, but it was Ayew who made the decisive impact. Substituted in with ten minutes left, the Crystal Palace forward set up a chance for Partey, which was missed, before scoring the winning goal in injury time.
With this victory, Ghana moves level on six points with Comoros at the top of Group I in the CAF World Cup qualifiers. Comoros could regain the lead if they win against Madagascar on Friday.
Next up for the Black Stars is a home game against the Central African Republic (CAR) in Kumasi on Monday, June 10.
