Ghana’s Black Stars delivered a commanding performance on Thursday evening, thrashing the Central African Republic (CAR) 5-0 to edge closer to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mohammed Salisu set the tone in the 21st minute when he rose highest to head home a Mohammed Kudus corner. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, the Black Stars went into the break with just a single-goal advantage, after failing to convert six other shots on target.
The second half, however, was a different story. Ghana came out sharper, hungrier, and more in front of goal. Just seven minutes after the restart, captain Jordan Ayew slipped a clever through ball to Thomas Partey, whose powerful strike took a deflection to double Ghana’s lead.
By the 69th minute, the Fauves’ resistance had completely collapsed. Defender Alexander Djiku made it 3-0, rising to meet an Ayew corner kick with a firm header. Ayew then turned scorer himself, tucking home the fourth after the CAR defense poorly cleared Gideon Mensah’s delivery.
The final nail came courtesy of Kamaldeen Sulemana, who finished off a dazzling solo run from Joseph Paintsil to seal an emphatic victory.
The win pushes Ghana to the top of Group I with 22 points, three ahead of Madagascar, who defeated Comoros 2-1 earlier in the day to keep the pressure on. The equation is now simple: the Black Stars need just a draw against Comoros in their final group game on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to confirm their ticket to the World Cup.
The decisive clash will be played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi at 7 PM local time, where the Black Stars will hope to officially seal their place on football’s biggest stage.