Comoro Islands have beaten Ghana’s Black Stars in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers to go top of Group I, which also has Mali.
A first-half strike by Myziane Maolida was what separated the two sides at Stade de Moroni on Tuesday, November 21.
By the win, the Island nation record a perfect start to the qualification for the mundial while the Black Stars suffer a first defeat and slump to fourth on the log.
The match was supposed to be rivalry renewed following a painful defeat inflicted by Les Coelacantes to the Black Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon n 2022. The tournament was the worst for the four-time African champions after failing to record a win in three games.
Ghana started well in Tuesday’s match with AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo missing a golden chance to put the Black Stars ahead as early as the 6th minute.
His feeble shot with only goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina to beat went off target.
Led by captain Dede Ayew, the West Africans bossed the midfield at least for the first half-hour mark.
However, against the run of play, Hertha Berlin forward Maolida waltzed through the defence of the visitors to slot the ball left of goalkeeper Richard Ofori.
Chris Hughton’s changes after the break – notably Mohammed Kudus for captain Ayew – could not save the day despite an improved performance in the second half.
The Ghanaian-born Irish exhausted all his substitutions but could not avoid defeat in Comoros.
Group I
1. Comoros (6pts)
2. Mali (4pts)
3. Madagascar (3pts)
4. Ghana (3pts)
5. Central African Republic (1pt)
6. Chad (0)
Ghana will next play against Mali’s Eagles in June, 2024.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
