Ghana produced a spirited second half performance in their first 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Madagascar in Kumasi.
The Black Stars got a 95th minute winner from Inaki Williams after the poor first half display that downed the hope of fans at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
π€ Big hug from the boss π«#BlackStars | @Williaaams45 pic.twitter.com/pZSaJZllz1
— π¬π Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) November 17, 2023
Head coach Chris Hughton handed Richard Ofori a spot in the goalpost ahead of Lawrence Ati-Zigi while Baba Iddrisu played in double pivot role with Abdul Samed Salis.
π¨ π§πππ π‘ππͺπ¦ π¬π
– Inaki & Semenyo in attack
– Richard Ofori in post & captain Β©οΈ π§€ππΎYour #BlackStars to face Madagascar π²π¬ pic.twitter.com/6ZWBKmOIT3
— π¬π Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) November 17, 2023
Ghana played the first 30 minutes of the game with a seeming lack of urgency in midfield and their opponents grew in confidence and began finding their rhythm.
But the Stars were satisfying enough in defence and ended the first half with no goals conceded despite an impressive display from the Malagasy.
βΈ ππππ π§ππ π – Goalless at the break in Kumasi.
π¬π Ghana 0οΈβ£-0οΈβ£ Madagascar π²π¬#BlackStars
— π¬π Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) November 17, 2023
After the break, Chris Hughton made two changes to improve their game plan; Majeed Ashimeru for Baba Iddrisu, and Dennis Odoi for Alidu Seidu.
Ghana’s play in midfield improved and their ball progression threatened the Madagascar backline.
However their goalkeeper Adrien Melvin stood between the Stars breaking the deadlock and a stalemate, which obviously the Stars never planned for.
Kudus from close range in the 79th minute, Melvin reacted. A deflected effort by Inaki and the shotstopper was up to the task again.
Well it was an Adrien evening and Ghana neared a draw in their opening World Cup qualifier at home.
But in the 96th minute of additional time, Inaki Williams, left unmarked, connected well to a left-footed cross from Gideon Mensah. 1-0!
Thank you Inaki!
Thank you!#BlackStars— Dennis Ivan Opoku π¬ππ₯π₯ (@ivanopokugh) November 17, 2023
Inaki’s goal is his first since joining Ghana before the 2022 Fifa World Cup. The Athletic Bilbao striker has played nine games for the senior national team now.
The Black Stars will play their second World Cup qualifier against Comoros on Tuesday.
Comoros won their first game with a 4-2 scoreline against Chad.
