The Black Stars of Ghana delivered a scintillating performance on Friday night, securing a commanding 5-0 victory over Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium to climb to the top of Group I in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
2026 World Cup qualification Africa
5-0
Match Report
From the outset, Ghana showcased their intent, pressing Chad aggressively from the first whistle. Their efforts bore fruit early when Antoine Semenyo capitalized on a chaotic scramble in the box to open the scoring.
The four-time Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions maintained relentless pressure, with Jordan Ayew missing a golden opportunity to double the lead after firing over from close range.
Chad briefly attempted to respond with counterattacks but found themselves overwhelmed by Ghana’s firepower.
In quick succession, Inaki Williams headed home a precise cross, fulfilling his pre-match promise to score, and Jordan Ayew converted a penalty after Semenyo was brought down in the box. By halftime, Ghana led 3-0, having restricted Chad to zero shots on target.
The second half saw no let-up in Ghana’s dominance. Mohammed Salisu extended the lead 12 minutes after the break, nodding in an Ernest Nuamah corner.
Nuamah then turned scorer in the 69th minute, finishing a slick team move with a low strike following a clever backheel assist from Ayew.
With the game firmly in hand, coach Otto Addo introduced fresh legs, including Kamaldeen Sulemana, Francis Abu, Jerome Opoku, Jerry Afriyie, and debutant Lawrence Agyekum. Despite further chances for Afriyie and Mohammed Kudus, who missed several opportunities throughout the match, the scoreline remained 5-0.
This emphatic win marked Ghana's first five-goal haul since their 2020 victory over Qatar and was Chad’s heaviest competitive defeat since 2015. The result propels Ghana to the summit of Group I ahead of their crucial clash against Madagascar on Monday in Morocco.
Ghana’s performance not only restored confidence after failing to qualify for the 2025 AFCON but also reaffirmed their determination to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Line-ups
Ghana XI: Jordan Ayew, Partey, Kingsley Schindler, Djiku, I.Williams, Gideon Mensah, Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Salisu, Ernest Nuamah, Benjamin Asare
Subs: Lawrence Ati Zigi, Joe Wollacott, Jerome Opoku, Abu Francis, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ebenezer Annan, Jonas Adjei Adjetey, Kamaradini Mamudu, Lawrence Agyekum, Christopher Bonsu Baah, R. Simpson, Jerry Afriyie
Chad XI: Abderamane Ahmat, Yves Allarabaye, Jourdain Mbaynaissem, G. Daba, Frederic Djoeta, Mahamat Thiam, Ali Mahamat Adam, Felix Noubara, Issa Hassaballah, Haroun Abakar Khamis, Yannick Masra
Subs: E. Adaoassou, Djimothoum Moral, Abdraman Ekiang Barka, Brahim Azaz Goudja, Joël Djingar, Benjamin Merba, Abdoulaye Difane, Fabien Djedanoum, Abakar Goukouni, Abdoulaye Mahamat Hamit, Allaramadji Noël, Haroun Mahanat Abakar