2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Ghana grind out crucial win against Mali in Accra to remain in control of Group I

Ghana reignited their push for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a gritty 1-0 victory over Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday night, thanks to Alexander Djiku’s opportunistic strike early in the second half.

Under mounting pressure following last week’s frustrating draw against Chad, Otto Addo’s Black Stars showed resilience in front of a fervent home crowd, grinding out a result that keeps their qualification campaign firmly on track.

The defining moment came in the 49th minute. Spartak Moscow defender Djiku pounced inside a crowded box after Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra spilled a corner, stabbing home from close range to send the Accra stadium into wild celebration. The goal arrived just moments after substitute Caleb Yirenkyi had rattled the crossbar with a thunderous long-range attempt, a sign of Ghana’s renewed intent after a subdued first half.

Mali, however, refused to fade. The Eagles seized control of the game after falling behind, dictating possession and forcing the Black Stars onto the back foot. Their relentless pressing pinned Ghana deep for long stretches, but Otto Addo’s men held firm. Djiku marshalled the backline with authority, while goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi produced sharp interventions to keep Mali at bay.

In attack, Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Kudus toiled tirelessly, often isolated against Mali’s compact rearguard, while Thomas Partey’s calm presence in midfield proved invaluable during the tense closing stages.

When the final whistle sounded, relief swept through the Ghanaian camp. The performance was far from fluent, yet the importance of the victory cannot be overstated. It lifted Ghana to 19 points in Group I, two clear of Madagascar (16) and three ahead of Comoros (15). Mali, stuck on 12 points, saw their hopes of finishing top effectively extinguished, with the Central African Republic (5) and Chad (1) already out of contention.

With just two fixtures remaining – against the Central African Republic and Comoros – Ghana now need only four points to book their ticket to the expanded 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

It was a scrappy, hard-earned win, but one that could prove decisive in shaping the Black Stars’ road to the global stage. Under the Accra floodlights, Djiku’s poacher’s finish may well be remembered as the night Ghana’s World Cup dream was revived.