Ghana annihilate Chad in 2026 World Cup qualifier

Ghana’s Black Stars surged to the top of Group I in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a resounding 5-0 victory over Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday night.

In their first international fixture of 2025, the four-time African champions displayed remarkable attacking prowess, giving their supporters plenty to cheer about following their disappointing failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The home side stamped their authority on the match from the opening minutes, with Antoine Semenyo breaking the deadlock early after pouncing on a loose ball during a chaotic sequence in the Chad penalty area.

Despite Jordan Ayew squandering a clear opportunity to extend the lead when he fired over from close range, Ghana’s attacking momentum proved unstoppable. Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams made good on his pre-match scoring promise with a well-placed header, before Ayew redeemed himself by confidently converting from the penalty spot after Semenyo was fouled in the box.

The visitors barely threatened throughout the first half, failing to register a single shot on target as they entered the break trailing 3-0. Debutant goalkeeper Benjamin Asare had little to do between the posts, enjoying what amounted to a spectator’s view of proceedings as the bottom-placed Chadians struggled to mount any meaningful attacks.

After the interval, Ghana continued their dominance when Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu powered home a header from Ernest Nuamah’s corner in the 57th minute. Nuamah then turned from provider to finisher, capping off an elegant team move with a clinical low finish following Ayew’s inventive backheel assist.

Ghana head coach Otto Addo utilized his bench in the closing stages, introducing Kamaldeen Sulemana, Francis Abu, Jerome Opoku, Jerry Afriyie, and handing a debut to Lawrence Agyekum. Though Mohammed Kudus and substitute Afriyie had opportunities to increase the margin further, the scoreline remained 5-0.

The emphatic victory represents Ghana’s largest winning margin since they defeated Qatar by the same scoreline in 2020, while for Chad, it marks their heaviest competitive defeat in nearly a decade.

After five matches played in Group I, Ghana have established themselves as the team to beat, opening a slim but crucial two-point gap over nearest challengers Madagascar.

Pre-tournament favorites Mali find themselves in a precarious fourth position with just eight points, trailing Comoros by a single point in an increasingly competitive group that has left Central African Republic’s qualification hopes fading and Chad already mathematically eliminated without a single point to their name.

The Black Stars now prepare to face Madagascar in Morocco on Monday, buoyed by a performance that not only places them at the summit of Group I but also reinvigorates their campaign to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.