Ghana Held to 1-1 Draw by Chad in World Cup Qualifier
Ghana's World Cup qualification hopes take a hit after a 1-1 draw against Chad in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The draw was a significant result for Chad, who earned their first point of the campaign under new coach Raoul Savoy...
Ghana's Black Stars suffered a setback in their 2026 World Cup qualification bid after being held to a 1-1 draw by Chad in N'Djamena. Jordan Ayew's early goal gave Ghana the lead, but Celestin Ecua's stunning 89th-minute equalizer denied the Black Stars a crucial win. This draw keeps Ghana top of Group I with 16 points from 7 games, but their automatic qualification hopes are now less certain.
The draw marked a significant milestone for Chad, earning their first point of the campaign under newly appointed head coach Raoul Savoy. Despite being heavy underdogs, the hosts managed to snatch a point from the jaws of defeat, thanks to Ecua's late strike. This result has breathed new life into Chad's qualification hopes, although they still trail far behind Ghana in the standings.
The Group I standings are shaping up to be highly competitive, with Ghana leading but facing challenges from other teams. Madagascar sits second with 13 points, while Comoros has 12 points. Ghana's next fixtures will be crucial in determining their qualification fate. They face Mali at home on September 8, followed by an away match against the Central African Republic on October 9. Winning these matches would significantly boost their chances of direct qualification.
Ghana started strongly, controlling the game and taking the lead in the 17th minute. Jordan Ayew scored after excellent wing play from Mohammed Kudus created the opportunity. Despite dominating possession, Ghana failed to add a second goal, leaving the match far from settled.
A tough outing, but the journey continues. Focus shifts to Monday’s clash with Mali in Accra. 👊🏾#BlackStars | #FIFAWCQ pic.twitter.com/eYhFOovBKW
— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) September 4, 2025
As Ghana retreated to protect their lead, Chad grew in confidence and began to create more scoring opportunities. Their persistence paid off in the 89th minute when Celestin Ecua scored a crucial equalizer, earning Chad a deserved point in a 1-1 draw.
The draw was a significant result for Chad, who earned their first point of the campaign under new coach Raoul Savoy. For Ghana, the failure to win was a setback in their bid for automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The result keeps Ghana top of Group I but highlights the challenges they still face in the qualifiers.
Chad's football team, Les Sao, marked a significant milestone with their first competitive home international on Chadian soil in six years. The match was held at the newly inaugurated Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno Olympic Stadium in N'Djamena, which boasts a 30,000-capacity seating arrangement. This stadium was officially opened in May 2025, symbolizing a new era for Chadian sports.
Previously, Chad's home matches were staged abroad due to stadium issues and sanctions. However, with the new stadium, the team has a state-of-the-art facility to call home. The Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno Olympic Stadium represents a substantial investment in Chad's sports infrastructure, potentially boosting the country's football scene.
The stadium's inauguration is a testament to the strengthening of Sino-Chadian cooperation, as it was built by China's Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group Corporation. With this modern facility, Chad's football team can now compete at home, potentially energizing the local sports scene and fostering a sense of national unity.
Ghana football coach Otto Addo expressed concerns about the pitch ahead of their match against Chad, describing it as “like concrete” and advocating for higher standards from CAF and FIFA. This criticism highlights the challenges teams face when playing on poorly maintained pitches, which can impact player performance and safety.
Despite the pitch concerns, Chad's Les Sao made the occasion count, securing a historic 1-1 draw against Ghana. Jordan Ayew's early goal gave Ghana the lead, but Celestin Ecua's stunning 89th-minute equalizer earned Chad a well-deserved point. This result marks Raoul Savoy's first outcome since taking the Chad job in mid-August, and it's a significant morale boost for the team.
For Ghana, the draw is a setback in their bid for automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Ghana's coach Otto Addo has previously raised concerns about pitch quality, including issues with the Baba Yara Stadium, which has been deemed unfit for Category 3 matches due to its poor playing surface. In contrast, Chad's historic draw has given them a crucial point in their qualifying campaign, and they're looking to build on this momentum.
Ghana maintains its top position in Group I, but the margin is slim. With Comoros and Madagascar still to complete their fixtures this window, the competition is heating up. Ghana's next three games will be crucial in determining their fate in the qualifiers.
Securing two wins from these three matches would likely solidify Ghana's position, but any slip-up could pave the way for Comoros to make it a close finish. Notably, Comoros will also visit Ghana in October, adding extra pressure to these matches.
Current Standings
The current standings in Group I are:
- Ghana: 16 points, 7 matches played
- Madagascar: 13 points, 7 matches played
- Mali: 12 points, 7 matches played
- Comoros: 12 points, 7 matches played
Ghana's performance in their remaining matches will determine their chances of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
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