2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Black Stars wallop Chad 5-0 to seize top spot
Ghana sent a resounding statement of intent in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with a commanding 5-0 victory over Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday night. Five different players found the net in a dominant display that propelled the Black Stars to the summit of Group I, reigniting belief among fans after recent disappointments.
It was the first time in recent years that the Black Stars had overpowered an opponent with such a commanding five-goal margin, igniting celebrations among fans. The emphatic victory injected fresh optimism into Ghana’s World Cup qualifying campaign, restoring belief in the team and rekindling national support after the disappointment of missing out on the 2025 AFCON.
Head coach Otto Addo’s bold selection choices paid dividends, with Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare handed his international debut ahead of the more experienced Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Joseph Wollacott. The move underscored Addo’s commitment to rewarding form over reputation and fostering healthy competition within the squad.
The Black Stars wasted no time asserting their dominance, striking within two minutes of kick-off. Bournemouth’s in-form forward, Antoine Semenyo, pounced on a loose ball in the box to open the scoring after a well-delivered cross from Turkey-based defender Alexander Djiku caused havoc in Chad’s defence.
The Black Stars maintained relentless pressure, but Chad managed a rare attacking moment in the eighth minute, earning a corner after Kingsley Schindler halted their advance with a well-timed interception. Skipper Jordan Ayew, demonstrating his leadership, tracked back to clear the danger before launching a swift counterattack that almost doubled Ghana’s lead.
The relentless Ghanaian pressure almost yielded a second goal in the 13th minute when Mohammed Kudus’ curling free-kick narrowly missed the target after Ayew was fouled on the edge of the box. The Leicester City forward then squandered a golden opportunity in the 20th minute, blasting over after a defensive mix-up up gifted him a clear sight of goal.
Chad struggled to cope with Ghana’s intensity, and their frustration boiled over. Defender Yves Aliarabaye received a booking for a reckless challenge on Gideon Mensah in the 26th minute, before Chad’s captain, Maintah Thiam Mahamat, also found his name in the referee’s book as the visitors reeled under the pressure.
The breakthrough came again in the 36th minute when Semenyo was brought down in the box, winning a penalty. Ayew stepped up and calmly slotted home to make it 3-0. Ghana almost added a fourth before the break, with Ernest Nuamah and Kudus both testing Chad’s goalkeeper Mbaynaissem, who bravely kept the scoreline from further escalating.
The second half resumed in the same vein, with Lyon’s Nuamah proving a constant menace to the Chad defence. His persistence won Ghana a free-kick in the 53rd minute, but Kudus’ effort sailed just over the bar. Minutes later, Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu rose highest to head in from a corner, extending Ghana’s lead to 4-0.
Nuamah eventually got the goal his performance deserved in the 68th minute, exchanging passes with Semenyo before drilling a low shot into the far post. With victory assured, Coach Addo introduced fresh legs in the 70th minute, bringing on Abu Francis and Kamaldeen Sulemana for goalscorers Semenyo and Nuamah.
Despite Kudus’ best efforts to add his name to the scoresheet, Chad’s goalkeeper Mbaynaissem produced a series of saves to deny the West Ham playmaker. Ghana continued to dictate the tempo, but with no further goals, they settled for an emphatic 5-0 victory.
The win took Ghana to 12 points, two clear of Madagascar, their next opponents on Monday, at the halfway mark of the qualifiers. With momentum firmly in their favour, the Black Stars now turn their attention to the crucial fixtures ahead as they edge closer to securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada next year.
