Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, squandered a critical opportunity to take firm control of Group I in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers, settling for a disappointing 1-1 draw against bottom-placed Chad on Wednesday.
The result leaves Ghana with dropped points for the first time in the qualifying campaign, despite entering the fixture on the back of four straight victories. A win would have sent Otto Addo’s side six points clear at the top of the table. Instead, the draw opens the door for rivals to tighten the group standings with several rounds remaining.
The Black Stars struck early, with Jordan Ayew converting a low cross from Mohammed Kudus in the 12th minute to give Ghana a 1-0 lead. But despite the early advantage, Ghana struggled to assert control for much of the match, conceding possession and territory to a Chadian side that had lost its previous six qualifiers.
Missed opportunities proved costly. Forward Antoine Semenyo failed to convert a clear one-on-one with the goalkeeper, sending his shot high over the crossbar. Kudus came close to doubling the lead with a curling effort that narrowly missed the top corner.
The Black Stars' profligacy came back to haunt them in the final minute of regulation. Chad’s Celestine Ecua made an unchecked run through midfield before unleashing a speculative shot that deflected off Ghanaian defender Caleb Yirenkyi and looped into the net, leaving goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi stranded. The goal marked Chad’s first point of the qualifying campaign—and their first home match on Chadian soil in six years.
The result adds pressure ahead of Ghana’s next fixture against Mali on Sept. 8, a match that now takes on heightened importance as the Black Stars look to regain momentum in their World Cup push.
