The Black Stars of Ghana took a giant step toward securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a resounding 5–0 victory over the Central African Republic (CAR) on Wednesday afternoon.
At the Stade d’Honneur in Morocco, head coach Otto Addo named a strong starting lineup featuring the return of winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, who made his first start since recovering from injury.
Needing a win to stay on course for next summer’s global showpiece in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Ghana started cautiously as CAR launched two quick counterattacks in the opening minutes. However, the Black Stars’ defence remained solid, and both teams shared early spells of possession.
Ghana soon found their rhythm and began to pile pressure on the CAR backline. The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute when defender Mohammed Salisu rose highest to head home Mohammed Kudus’ corner.
Kudus came close to doubling the lead shortly after, but his effort was cleared off the line, while midfielder Kwasi Sibo, making only his second appearance for the national team, narrowly missed with a long-range strike.
The Black Stars maintained their dominance, controlling the tempo and possession for the remainder of the first half, which ended 1–0 in their favour.
Ghana resumed the second half with renewed intensity, and their efforts paid off when Thomas Partey fired home in the 52nd minute after a neat assist from Jordan Ayew.
The Central African Republic threatened briefly, coming close to a consolation in the 63rd minute, but their shot went wide. A minute later, Jordan Ayew received a yellow card following a heated exchange with a CAR player.
The Black Stars quickly reasserted control, extending their lead to 3–0 through Alexander Djiku, who headed in another Ayew corner in the 68th minute. Jordan Ayew then turned scorer himself three minutes later, capitalising on a defensive lapse to make it 4–0.
Otto Addo introduced several substitutes, Elisha Owusu, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Joseph Paintsil, replacing Antoine Semenyo, Partey, and Issahaku, to keep the momentum. Kamaldeen nearly added to the tally but saw his curling effort drift just wide.
In the 82nd minute, Kudus and Salisu made way for Prince Owusu and Jerome Opoku, and five minutes later, Ghana completed the rout. Kamaldeen Sulemana latched onto a Paintsil cross to slot home the fifth goal in the 87th minute.
The emphatic victory lifts Ghana to the top of Group I with 22 points. The Black Stars now need just a point against Comoros on Sunday, October 12, at the Accra Sports Stadium to confirm their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
