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| Inaki Williams celebrates his goal with Black Stars team mates against Chad |
On a balmy evening in Accra, the Black Stars of Ghana delivered a masterclass performance, dismantling Chad with a resounding 5-0 victory in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I qualifier. The match, played in front of a passionate home crowd at the Accra Sports Stadium, marked a triumphant return to form for Otto Addo’s side, who had endured a torrid run of six winless games since June 2024. With this emphatic win, Ghana surged to the top of Group I, reigniting their hopes of qualifying for the global showpiece in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
From the opening whistle, Ghana asserted their dominance, blending flair, precision, and relentless attacking intent. The tone was set just two minutes in when Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo latched onto a clever through ball from Thomas Partey. The striker shrugged off his marker and rifled a venomous shot past Chad goalkeeper Mbaynaissem Jourdain, sending the stadium into raptures. It was a statement of intent from a side desperate to banish the ghosts of their recent failures, including a shock exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Chad, languishing at the bottom of the group with no points from four matches, struggled to cope with Ghana’s pace and physicality. Les Sao, led by a gritty but outmatched Mahamat Thiam Maintah, barely had time to settle before the Black Stars struck again. In the 31st minute, Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams rose majestically to meet a pinpoint cross from Kingsley Schindler, powering a header into the net for his first competitive goal of the campaign. The relief was palpable for Williams, who had faced scrutiny for his scoring drought in national colors.
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| Jordan Ayew score from the spot kick |
Five minutes later, Ghana’s captain Jordan Ayew added a third, coolly dispatching a penalty after Semenyo was felled in the box by Frederic Djoeta, who earned a yellow card for his troubles. Ayew’s strike, a right-footed rocket into the top center of the goal, underscored Ghana’s clinical edge and sent the home fans into a frenzy as the first half ended with the Black Stars firmly in control.
The second half saw no let-up from Ghana, who continued to press with unrelenting vigor. In the 56th minute, Mohammed Salisu rose highest from a corner to nod in the fourth, his towering header a testament to Ghana’s set-piece prowess. The West Ham defender’s goal further exposed Chad’s defensive frailties, as Les Sao wilted under the pressure of Ghana’s star-studded lineup.
The fifth and final nail in Chad’s coffin came in the 68th minute, courtesy of Ernest Nuamah. The young winger, assisted by a deft flick from Ayew, danced through the Chadian backline before slotting a left-footed effort into the bottom corner. It was a goal that encapsulated Ghana’s blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned craftsmanship, with Nuamah’s strike rounding off a five-star performance.
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| Ernest Nuamah scores Ghana’s fifth goal of the match |
Otto Addo rang the changes late on, introducing fresh legs in Kamaldeen Sulemana, Abu Francis, Jerry Afriyie, Jerome Opoku, and Lawrence Agyekum, but the damage was already done. Chad, to their credit, made substitutions of their own—Joel Djingar, Brahim Goudja, Haroun Abakar, and Benjamin Merba—but they were powerless against a Ghanaian onslaught that never relented. Les Sao managed just one shot on target all night, a tame effort easily gathered by debutant goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, who kept a clean sheet in his first competitive outing for the Black Stars.
For Ghana, this was more than just a victory; it was a statement. After months of frustration, including fan discontent and a faltering AFCON campaign, the Black Stars showcased their pedigree. Thomas Partey, pulling the strings in midfield, was imperious, while the attacking trio of Semenyo, Williams, and Ayew terrorized Chad’s defense. The return of Partey from injury and the emergence of Nuamah as a potent force only bolstered Ghana’s credentials as serious contenders in the race for 2026.
Chad, meanwhile, remain rooted to the foot of Group I, their winless streak now stretching to 11 matches across all competitions. With just one goal scored in five qualifiers, their hopes of a maiden World Cup appearance look increasingly forlorn. Yet, for all their struggles, they battled gamely against a superior foe, with Thiam and Yves Allarabaye showing flashes of defiance, even if their efforts were in vain.
As the final whistle blew, the Accra Sports Stadium erupted in celebration. Ghana’s 5-0 triumph propelled them to 12 points, leapfrogging Madagascar (10 points) and Mali (8 points) to claim pole position in Group I, with Comoros (9 points) also in the mix. With a trip to face Madagascar looming in three days, the Black Stars will look to carry this momentum forward in their quest for a fifth World Cup appearance.
For Otto Addo, this was a night of redemption. For Ghana, it was a reminder of their footballing might. The road to 2026 is long, but on this evidence, the Black Stars are back—and they mean business.
Match Details:
Goals: Antoine Semenyo (2’), Inaki Williams (31’), Jordan Ayew (36’ pen), Mohammed Salisu (56’), Ernest Nuamah (68’)
Lineups:
Ghana: Asare; Schindler, Djiku, Salisu (Opoku 67’), Mensah; Partey (Agyekum 67’), Kudus; Nuamah (Francis 67’), Ayew (Afriyie 67’), Williams; Semenyo (Sulemana 67’)
