Ghana’s Black Stars saw their winning streak broken in dramatic fashion as Chad struck a stoppage-time equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw in their 2026 World Cup qualifier. The result in N’Djamena gave the hosts their first point of the campaign while leaving Otto Addo’s side frustrated.
The match at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno began brightly for Ghana. In the 17th minute, Mohammed Kudus slid a low cross into the box, and Jordan Ayew applied the finish to score his sixth goal of the qualifiers. That early strike seemed to set the tone for another routine win.
But the Black Stars could not find a second goal despite enjoying much of the possession. They created corners and carved openings, yet their execution fell short. As the minutes ticked on, Chad grew in confidence and pushed Ghana back with renewed energy.
Chad’s persistence paid off in the closing stages. In the 90th minute, Célestin Ecua found space on the edge of the box, collected Éric Mbangossoum’s pass, and drilled a low shot into the net. The goal sparked wild celebrations in the stands as the home side earned their first point after six straight defeats.
For Ghana, the draw was a bitter pill. Victory would have extended their lead at the top of CAF Group I, where they now sit with 16 points from seven matches. Instead, the dropped points reopened the race with Mali and other chasers lurking.
Head coach Otto Addo did not hide his frustration afterwards. He labelled the team’s display as “not good enough” and lamented their wastefulness. “We had a lot of corners, attempts, and possession but did nothing out of that,” he admitted. “Normally we have to win this game.”
Otto Addo also took aim at the playing surface. He argued the dry artificial pitch slowed Ghana’s game and made quick passing impossible. “It’s very difficult to play on this terrain when it’s not watered,” he said. “The pitch was very slow for us, and Chad defended well.”
With Mali next in Accra, the pressure is back on Ghana to respond. The Black Stars remain group leaders, but Addo’s message was clear: sharper finishing and smarter execution are non-negotiable if their World Cup dream is to stay on track.
