Black Stars face Mali in make-or-break World Cup qualifier

Ghana’s Black Stars take on Mali tonight at the Accra Sports Stadium in what promises to be one of the defining fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Coach Otto Addo’s men top Group I, but their grip is fragile after a costly 1-1 draw against bottom side Chad last week. With Comoros beating the Central African Republic 2-0 and Madagascar favoured to win against Chad, the pressure on Ghana has intensified. 

Nothing short of victory will do if the Black Stars are to stay on course for an automatic ticket to North America.

Mali, four points adrift, reignited their campaign with a 3-0 win over Comoros and now arrive in Accra with the belief that they can cause an upset. “Ghana are the best team in the group, but we are here to make history and win,” Malian coach Tom Saintfiet declared.

For Addo, who featured at Germany 2006 and guided Ghana to Qatar 2022, the weight of expectation is heavier than ever. “We have to give our lives for this. No underrating, no complacency. We must be concentrated until the final minute,” he said on the eve of the clash.

Captain Jordan Ayew and creative fulcrum Mohammed Kudus will lead Ghana’s attacking charge, supported by Antoine Semenyo, Joseph Paintsil and Kamaldeen Sulemana. There is, however, uncertainty over Thomas Partey’s fitness. Should he miss out, Real Oviedo midfielder Kwesi Sibo is expected to step in.

The Black Stars boast a superior record against Mali, with 12 wins in 25 meetings, but the Eagles remain undaunted. With talents such as Mamadou Sangaré, Aliou Dieng and Nene Dorgeles, Saintfiet’s men know a win would throw the group wide open and keep their World Cup hopes alive.

The stakes could not be higher: Ghana risk slipping into a nervous chase if they fail to secure three points, while Mali’s ambitions hinge on nothing less than victory.

The Accra Sports Stadium is set for a fever-pitch atmosphere, one that could either fuel Ghana’s charge or magnify the pressure if they falter early.