Tottenham's Mohammed Kudus scored two goals for Ghana at the 2022 World Cup and his nation is well placed to return to the tournament
Ghana took a big step towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 home win over Mali.
Alexander Djiku scored the only goal for the Black Stars in the 49th minute in Accra after Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra failed to gather Jordan Ayew's inswinging corner.
Mali, who needed a win to keep alive their own hopes of automatic qualification, dominated the final half hour but could not find a way back into the game against a resolute home defence.
Victory meant Ghana moved on to 19 points and restored their three-point lead at the top of Group I before the final two rounds of fixtures next month.
Otto Addo's side face an away game against Central African Republic before they host Comoros, and one win could be enough to reach successive editions of the World Cup.
Only the nine group winners in African qualifying are assured a spot at the tournament next year, but the four best-ranked sides will enter continental play-offs.
- Published7 days ago
- Published7 hours ago
Top seeds Mali have never played at the World Cup finals and are no longer able to top the group.
The Eagles lie fourth in the table, four points adrift of second-placed Madagascar after the Indian Ocean islanders came from behind to beat Chad 3-1 earlier on Monday.
Warren Caddy, Rayan Raveloson and Hakim Abdallah were all on target for the Malagasy in the second half.
Comoros are third, a point behind Madagascar, after their 2-0 away win over Central African Republic on Sunday.
The African side which emerges from the play-offs in November will progress to a final intercontinental qualifier for a chance to earn a ticket to Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Algeria close in on qualification
Elsewhere, Algeria are one win away from the World Cup finals after having to settle for a 0-0 draw away against Guinea in neutral Casablanca.
Mohamed Amoura blazed over the best chance for the North Africans, while the visitors were indebted to Youcef Atal when the right-back headed Aliou Balde's goalbound effort off the line.
Algeria top Group G on 19 points, with Uganda and Mozambique four points behind after both those sides recorded victories on Monday.
A penalty from Allan Okello and Jude Ssemugabi's strike meant Uganda saw off Somalia 2-0, while Witi and Faisal Bangal gave the Mozambicans victory over Botswana by the same scoreline.
The eighth round of African qualifying concludes on Tuesday with 15 fixtures, with Egypt set to join Morocco and Tunisia at the 2026 finals if they win away against Burkina Faso.
