It was an exciting opener to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the Black Stars as a last-gasp header by Inaki Williams got fans at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium a goal to be excited about.
The first competitive international goal for the Athletic Bilbao striker gave the 2010 World Cup quarter-finalists all the maximum points over the Malagasy.
The Onua Sports team put together ratings of all the Ghana players in the lone-goal victory on Friday.
Check out the player ratings below:
Richard Ofori – 6.5: The goalkeeper returned from injury to captain the Black Stars. He made significant saves for the team, one of which was tipping Toki’s shot over the bar in the first half.
Alidu Seidu – 4: Not quite the game he will be happy with but he made hard tackles which may have had a toll on his fitness. He was substituted at the break.
Nicholas Opoku – 5: The Amiens defender had a fair game. He saved the Black Stars in the second half with a goal-line clearance after the Barea managed to keep the ball in play in the 56th minute.
Daniel Amartey – 5: The Besiktas player also had a fair game in central defence. He had one attempt on goal with a header. He slumped onto the pitch in what is suspected to be a hamstring after an hour of play only to be substituted by Nuhu Kasim.
Gideon Mensah – 6.5: Playing in right-back for the entire duration of the game, the French-based lateral defender was on hand on a number of occasions to save the Black Stars. His cross resulted in the winning goal, an assist recorded by the Auxerre man.
Baba Iddrisu – 5: Quite combative in character but not seen that much in Friday’s encounter, the Almeria midfielder general was one of the two players substituted after the first half.
Jordan Ayew – 5: Ghana’s Number 9 was not his best but contributed with some crosses to keep the pressure on the opponents. He was substituted late in the game.
Samed Abdul Salis – 6: The RC Lens midfielder held the center for the Black Stars. He ensured that the attacking play of the Barea was destroyed.
Mohammed Kudus – 6: The West Ham man had a relatively dull first half but came to life when Ernest Nuamah came on. An opening chance for him to have scored was kept out by goalkeeper Melvin Adrien.
Inaki Williams – 8.5: What a way to open his account for the Black Stars. Inaki played the entire duration for the first time in many games. And this paid off. His injury time header was what gave the four-time African champions all the three points in their first match in Group I.
Antonine Semenyo – 5: The AFC Bournemouth striker was on and off in Friday’s World Cup qualifier. He had a few chances which were not converted. He made way for Nuamah in the 73rd minute.
SUBSTITUTES
Dennis Odoi – 4.5: The Belgium-based defender brought some heat into the game as he was one of the two players introduced after the break by Chris Hughton. His crosses into the penalty box doubled up the chances for the Black Stars.
Majid Ashimeru – 8: Perhaps, the best of the substitutes. He missed a couple of begging chances but those two are not enough to dent his control of the midfield, pushing the team forward in the second half. His presence brought some life into the game.
Kasim Adams Nuhu- 4: The bulky Hoffenheim defender made his influence felt when he replaced Daniel Amartey. He prevented most of the incursions by the Malagasy.
Osman Bukari – 6: The Red Star Belgrade forward was able to keep play just like the player he replaced and made attacking runs.
