Ghana tightened their grip on top spot in Group I with a narrow 1-0 victory over Mali in Accra, but it was Otto Addo’s staunch defence of Antoine Semenyo that stole the post-match spotlight. The coach hailed his forward’s tireless effort while warning fans that qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is far from assured.
The decisive moment came early in the second half when Alexander Djiku improvised a close-range finish to send the Accra Sports Stadium into celebration. Ghana held firm despite late pressure from Mali, with the defence standing tall to secure three valuable points.
The win lifts the Black Stars to 19 points after eight matches, keeping them ahead of Madagascar in the race to book a ticket to North America. Yet Otto Addo admitted his side could have killed off the game earlier, with missed counterattacks leaving supporters on edge until the final whistle. “We had some chances to finish the game… but we couldn’t take advantage,” the coach reflected.
Much of the scrutiny fell on Antoine Semenyo, who struggled to make a major impact despite his Premier League form for Bournemouth. Otto Addo, however, was quick to highlight the striker’s off-the-ball work. “It’s difficult to compare games from the Premier League with games in Africa,” he explained. “For me today, he was excellent. He fought until he couldn’t run anymore. I was very satisfied.”
Semenyo, recently nominated for both EPL Player of the Month and Goal of the Month, cut a frustrated figure in attack but was described by Otto Addo as a “lone fighter up front.” His pressing and movement, the coach stressed, allowed others to shine even if his name was not on the scoresheet.
The game also marked a positive debut for Kwasi Sibo, who impressed with his energy and composure. Otto Addo praised him as a “warrior” and hinted that his strong display could earn more call-ups in future.
Despite the victory, Otto Addo remained cautious. He warned fans against complacency, stressing that Ghana’s qualification hopes are not sealed. “We are Ghana. If everybody thinks we are already gone to the World Cup, then sorry, we’re not done yet. We have a lot of work to do.”
For Otto Addo, the result was less about performance and more about survival. His side remain in control of Group I, but the margin for error is slim. With two qualifiers left, the Black Stars know every run, every tackle, and every finish could define their World Cup destiny.
