The Black Stars of Ghana continued their impressive run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 3-0 victory over Madagascar on Monday night. Playing at the Al Hoceima Grand Stadium, head coach Otto Addo made strategic changes to his squad, bringing in Francis Abu and Jerome Opoku while resting Inaki Williams and Ernest Nuamah. Ghana started the match strongly, creating an early chance in the fifth minute when Antoine Semenyo was fouled, but Mohammed Salisu failed to convert Jordan Ayew’s precise free-kick delivery. Their relentless pressure paid off in the 10th minute when Thomas Partey opened the scoring with a well-placed header from another Jordan Ayew set-piece. Madagascar attempted to respond, coming close to scoring two minutes later, but their effort was off target. Ghana nearly doubled their lead when Mohammed Kudus struck a powerful shot, only for the Malagasy goalkeeper to make an excellent save. Despite Madagascar’s attempts to break through, Ghana remained solid, creating another close chance in the 28th minute when Semenyo’s pass to Kudus just missed its mark. The Black Stars continued to press forward, earning a corner before halftime, and although Kudus was brought down in the box, the referee dismissed appeals for a penalty. They went into the break with a narrow but deserved 1-0 lead.
The second half saw Ghana maintain their momentum, and they extended their lead in the 53rd minute when Partey found the net again, this time finishing off a well-delivered corner kick from Jordan Ayew. Just minutes later, Mohammed Kudus sealed the victory with a stunning strike, putting Ghana firmly in control of the match. Otto Addo’s men continued to dominate possession, making effective tactical adjustments as the game progressed. With 20 minutes left, Inaki Williams replaced Semenyo, and Madagascar attempted to capitalize on a counterattack, only to be denied by goalkeeper Benjamin Asare’s crucial save. Despite Madagascar’s increasing pressure in the final stages of the game, Asare remained composed, pulling off another critical stop to maintain Ghana’s clean sheet. Otto Addo made further substitutions in the final 10 minutes, introducing Ernest Nuamah, Razak Simpson, and Ebenezer Annan for Kudus, Gideon Mensah, and Francis Abu. Jerome Opoku, who suffered a cramp, was also substituted for Jonas Adjetey with eight minutes remaining. Ghana's disciplined defense held firm until the final whistle, securing a crucial three points.
With this commanding win, Ghana strengthens its position at the top of Group I with 15 points, while Madagascar remains second with 10 points. The Black Stars have now recorded consecutive victories, including their emphatic 5-0 win over Chad, further boosting their chances of qualifying for the World Cup. Otto Addo and his team will now turn their attention to the next round of qualifiers in September, where they will face Chad in an away fixture before returning home to play against Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium. The team’s recent performances have been encouraging, with standout contributions from Partey, Kudus, and Ayew helping to drive their success. As Ghana aims to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their ability to maintain consistency and capitalize on key opportunities will be crucial in the remaining matches.
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