The Black Stars of Ghana were denied all three points in N’Djamena as Chad struck a last-minute equaliser to seal a 1–1 draw in their World Cup 2026 qualifier on matchday seven at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno. The result slows Ghana’s momentum in CAF Group I but gives the hosts their first point of the campaign.
Ghana entered the match leading the group with 15 points from six matches, and victory in Chad would have extended their dominance. Instead, the Black Stars were forced to settle for a share of the spoils, moving to 16 points, while Chad finally ended a run of six straight defeats.
The visitors were without two key players for the trip. Joseph Paintsil failed to make the journey after missing a flight from New York, while Alexander Djiku stayed behind to complete his move to Spartak Moscow.
Both teams named strong lineups. Chad’s set up featured Jourdain Mbaynaissem, Yves Allarabaye, Haroun Tchaouna, Wanre Daikreo, Mickaël Dia Wah, Mahamat Thiam, Damba Koularambaye, Abdoul Aziz, Eric Mbangossoum, Celestin Ecua, and Charles Tchouplaou.
Ghana lined with Benjamin Asare in goal, Caleb Yirenkyi, Jonas Adjei Adjetey, Jerome Opoku, Gideon Mensah, Elisha Owusu, Salis Abdul Samed, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, and Antoine Semenyo.
The Black Stars took the lead in the 17th minute when Mohammed Kudus slid a low cross into the box for Jordan Ayew to finish. The strike took Ayew’s tally in the World Cup qualifiers to six goals, alongside four assists.
Ghana pressed for more before half-time but were unable to add a second, carrying only a slender advantage into the break.
After the restart, Chad gradually grew into the contest. They restricted Ghana’s rhythm and built momentum as the game wore on, their resurgence in the second half testing the Black Stars’ defensive resolve.
That persistence was rewarded in the 90th minute when Célestin Ecua latched onto a pass from Éric Mbangossoum and fired a left-footed strike from the centre of the box into the net, stunning the visitors and levelling the contest at 1–1.
The late goal handed Chad their first point of the qualifiers, while Ghana were left frustrated after missing the chance to extend their lead at the top of Group I, where they now sit on 16 points from seven games.
