Ghana vs Mali: Otto Addo Confident Ahead of Crucial 2026 WCQ, "We Have to Win"

• Otto Addo remains confident of guiding the Black Stars to victory over Mali in their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier
• The 50-year-old tactician is yet to taste defeat in the qualifying campaign since taking charge of Ghana
• Securing three points against Mali would significantly strengthen the nation’s push for a place at next year’s global tournament

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Black Stars head coach Otto Addo remains optimistic as Ghana prepares for a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mali in Accra on Monday, September 8.

The build-up to the game has been far from smooth. Ghana stumbled in their last outing, drawing 1-1 with Chad in N’Djamena on September 4.

Otto Addo confident of victory against Mali

That slip denied the team the chance to strengthen their hold at the top of Group I and opened the door for rivals chasing the sole automatic ticket to North America.

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Despite the setback, Addo sounded upbeat about his side’s chances when he addressed the press.

"As long as we have it in our own hands, I'm very, very positive. And we have to still keep it in our own hands. And for this, we have to win tomorrow," he said, as quoted by Ghanafa.org.

Ghana still leads the standings with 16 points, just one ahead of Comoros, who beat the Central African Republic but have played one game more.

Madagascar, sitting on 13 points, will take on Chad on the same day Ghana face Mali.

The Eagles, unbeaten in their last four qualifiers, trail with 12 points and head into the Accra showdown full of confidence.

For Addo, the bigger picture still looks bright. His overall record as Black Stars coach might not inspire much excitement — five wins, five draws and five defeats in 15 games — but his record in World Cup qualifiers tells a different story.

In seven matches, he is yet to lose, with four victories and three stalemates, according to statistics culled from Transfermarkt.

A win on Monday would not only silence critics but also take Ghana to 19 points, creating daylight between themselves and Comoros with just two games left.

Should that happen, the path to qualification would be clearer, with a home fixture against Comoros and an away clash with the Central African Republic still to come.

The stage is set at the Accra Sports Stadium, and Ghana knows exactly what is required — beat Mali and take control of their own destiny.

The 4 players who could dampen Ghana's World Cup hopes

In a previous report, YEN.com.gh examined four Malian players capable of testing Ghana’s World Cup dream.

Even without midfield stars Amadou Haidara and Yves Bissouma, coach Tom Saintfiet still boasts a formidable side, with rising talents such as Kamory Doumbia and Dorgeles Nene prepared to fill the gap.

Source: YEN.com.gh