Chad struck late to deny Ghana a vital victory in Group I of the African World Cup qualifiers, with a dramatic 89th-minute equalizer that left the Black Stars stunned and frustrated.
Jordan Ayew had put Ghana ahead early in the first half, finishing off a slick move started by Mohammed Kudus. But the visitors failed to build on that lead and were punished in the final minutes by a brilliant individual effort from Chad’s Célestin Ecua.
The result means Ghana drop two crucial points in their push for a spot at the 2026 World Cup, while Chad celebrate their first point of the qualifiers.
Ghana began with intensity and composure, dominating possession and pinning Chad deep. Their breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Kudus delivered a low cross that Ayew tapped home with ease. It was the captain’s sixth goal of the qualifying campaign and a deserved lead for the visitors.
Despite their control, Ghana struggled to add a second. Kudus remained the focal point of their attack, orchestrating chances and keeping Chad’s defense under pressure. But the finishing touch was missing. Chad, for their part, stayed compact and looked to capitalize on set-pieces and second balls.
The second half followed a familiar pattern—Ghana with the ball, Chad digging in. Kudus came close to doubling the lead with a curling shot in the 67th minute, but it drifted narrowly wide. As time wore on, Ghana’s grip loosened, and Chad began to grow into the match.
Coach Raoul Savoy’s late substitutions added urgency to Chad’s play. The turning point came in the 89th minute, when Émile Mbangossoum found Ecua just outside the penalty area. The forward danced past three Ghanaian defenders and fired a low, deflected shot that left the goalkeeper rooted. The ball hit the back of the net, and the stadium erupted.
Ghana, moments away from a professional away win, were left stunned. With Kudus and Ayew both substituted minutes earlier, the team lacked attacking options to respond.
For Ghana, the draw feels like a defeat. Their inability to finish the game off has now left them vulnerable in a tight group. Chad, meanwhile, will take confidence from the result and the character they showed to fight until the final whistle.
Scorers:
- Ghana: Jordan Ayew (17’)
- Chad: Célestin Ecua (89’)
Assists:
- Ghana: Mohammed Kudus
- Chad: Émile Mbangossoum
Next Fixtures:
Ghana will look to bounce back in their next qualifier against Mali, knowing they can’t afford more slip-ups. Chad, buoyed by their late equalizer, will aim to turn this momentum into more points as the group stage heats up.
