The Accra Sports Stadium was filled to capacity on Friday to give the Black Stars a triumphant 2025 welcome as Ghana’s senior national team defeated Chad 5-0 in their 2026 World Cup qualifier, to go top of Group I.
This strong attendance came just four months after Ghana’s disappointing 2-1 loss to Niger at the same venue, which had eliminated the Black Stars from Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
Despite sections of the stadium being unavailable due to ongoing renovation works, specifically the upper section of the Independence Square stand, fans turned out in overwhelming numbers in the nation’s capital to give the senior national team all the attention it deserves.
All available seating areas were completely full, with many supporters left standing or unable to gain access due to high demand.
In what was Ghana’s first international fixture of the year, the Black Stars continued their World Cup qualification campaign with an emphatic victory. It was the team’s fifth qualifier match in the series, and it ended with 5 goals from five different stars.
Stadium authorities had to close entry gates early as the crowds continued to grow. The renovation work, while restricting capacity, did not diminish the atmosphere as supporters filled every available space in the stadium.
Dismantled Assertion
The massive turnout at Friday’s match effectively disproved the common belief that Accra residents rarely show up to support the national team. Fans traveled from both nearby neighborhoods and distant regions to reach the stadium, which is located in the central Osu district of Ghana’s capital.
Osu, considered by many to be the heart of Ghana’s capital, Accra, provided a fitting backdrop for the passionate display of support. The energetic atmosphere contributed significantly to the team’s performance as they continued their campaign to qualify for the World Cup.
The stadium’s atmosphere reflected a nation in relief from peaceful change of Government, as the team seemed well organised and ready to atone for the AFCON failures.
This is the Accra Sports Stadium, a venue perceived not to be Black Stars-friendly .@GhanaBlackstars @ghanafaofficial @CAF_Online @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/NHMG7qsl3S
— Fiifi Abdul Malik Tanko (@malikalmaestro) March 22, 2025
This equally comes after President Mahama had met with the team a day before the game and promised to watch and support them, urging them to make amends for their absence in the upcoming AFCON in Morocco. His visit added weight to the occasion, as the stadium’s proximity to Black Star Square—where he was sworn into office—became a befitting venue for the first presidential visit before the first soccer battle of the year.
The euphoria before the game was electric, the atmosphere during the game was frenetic, and the victory was emphatic.
The 5-0 scoreline represents Ghana’s largest winning margin in five years, since they defeated Qatar by the same scoreline in 2020, while it marks the heaviest competitive defeat for Chad in nearly a decade. And the credit to this achievement indirectly goes to the Accra Sports stadium, which for some years has been perceived by some to be a hostile ground for the Black Stars.
The heavy win catapults Ghana to the top of Group I with 12 points from 5 matches, overtaking Madagascar who now sit in second place with 10 points. Comoros follows in third with 9 points, while Mali and Central African Republic have 8 and 4 points respectively. Chad remains at the bottom of the group without a single point.
With three matches remaining in the qualification series, Ghana’s chances of securing one of the group’s qualifying spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have significantly improved. The tournament, set to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will mark the first time the World Cup is held across three nations.
Ghana’s remaining fixtures include an away match against Madagascar on Monday in Morocco, followed by crucial return ties against Chad and Mali in September. The Black Stars are aiming to make their fifth World Cup appearance after previously qualifying in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022.
Friday’s result, which featured goals from Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Salisu, and Ernest Nuamah, has rekindled hope among Ghanaian football fans that their beloved Black Stars will once again represent Africa on the global stage when the World Cup kicks off in North America in 2026.
