2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Ghana seeks first win of the year against Mali today

The Central African Republic’s (CAR) victory over Chad in the 2o26 FIFA World Cup qualifiers  has seen Ghana drop to fifth place in Group I.

Ghana drop to 5th in World Cup qualifying group after CAR’s win over Chad

The CAR won their first game of the qualifying campaign when they recorded an important 1-0 victory over Chad on Wednesday afternoon.

A 29th-minute strike by Ghislain Baboula was enough for the Wild Beasts, who now have four points and have moved up to third in the qualifying group.

Ghana have, however, now dropped to fifth place ahead of their crucial away game against Mali in Bamako on Thursday evening.

Should Otto Addo’s side beat the Eagles, though, they would move to six points, which would take them to at least the second spot in the group depending on the result of the match between leaders Comoros and Madagascar on Friday.

Meanwhile, Ghana head coach Otto Addo has said he has a perfect plan on how the Black Stars can get the better of Mali.

The Black Stars currently have three points from two qualifying matches, which has left them one point behind Mali and three below leaders Comoros.

Ahead of the crucial away game against the Eagles on Thursday, Addo has admitted that Eric Chelle’s wide will be tough customers.

The former Borussia Dortmund   assistant coach, however, believes he has mapped out the perfect plan that would see the Black Stars emerge victorious.

“We have a plan. How we want to play. We have observed them well. Of course, most of their players play in Ligue 1. We have our ideas but of course, we cannot tell them,” Addo said at a pre-match press conference, as quoted by 3Sports.

“It’s a very important match for us. We are one point behind Mali and we have to win to give us a chance of qualifying to the World Cup. Mali are a strong team. They have young talent in their team and it will be a tough game for us tomorrow.”

Ghana’s game against Mali will come off at 19:00 GMT.