The Black Stars of Ghana squandered a golden opportunity to pull six points clear at the summit of Group I in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers after being held to a 1-1 draw by Chad in N’Djamena on Thursday.
Otto Addo’s men, who came into the game on the back of four straight wins, looked on course for another victory when captain Jordan Ayew fired them ahead in the 12th minute. The striker latched onto a clever cut-back from Mohammed Kudus and calmly slotted home to silence the home crowd at the Stade Olympique Marechal Idriss Deby Itno.
Despite their early breakthrough, Ghana failed to stamp their authority on the contest. The Black Stars allowed Chad to grow in confidence and were often forced on the back foot. Still, the West Africans had chances to seal the result but were guilty of profligacy in front of goal.
Antoine Semenyo missed the best of them when he found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Allamine Djouma but blazed over the bar. Kudus, who was lively throughout, nearly doubled the lead with a curling effort that shaved the crossbar by inches.
Those wasted chances came back to haunt Ghana. In the 90th minute, Celestine Ecua embarked on a surging run from midfield and unleashed a strike that deflected off defender Caleb Yirenkyi, leaving goalkeeper Benjamin Asare stranded as the ball nestled into the net. The dramatic late equaliser secured Chad’s first point of the qualifying campaign after six successive defeats — and in front of their fans in their first competitive home fixture in six years.
The draw leaves Ghana frustrated, having let slip a chance to create daylight at the top of the group. Otto Addo’s side now sits just three points clear of second-placed Mali, who will be their next opponents on September 8. The clash promises to be a crucial test of the Black Stars’ resolve as they look to bounce back and keep their World Cup dream on course.
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