Sports
Every word from Coach Otto Addo post Chad Press Conference

After seeing his side concede late against Chad in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Otto Addo gave his thoughts in the post-match press conference. He spoke about missed opportunities, playing in a very difficult terrain, tactics, and our game plan and more.
Here is everything he had to say:
On the result
Yeah, it’s very disappointing. Just one point for us. Yeah, it’s not easy for us to play on this ground, in the heat, but we have to take it, and I think we came in well to score the first goal. Continued to dominate, we created a lot of chances, but we were not sharp enough to use them. For us, unluckily, I think the first shot from Chad, which hit the target, entered the net. It was a deflection, but this is football sometimes, you know. We had a lot of chances, we could have killed the game before, or we must have killed the game before, but we didn’t do it. They have one big chance, I think there were some wide shots from Chad, but other than that, there was no big chance of one deflection in the goal. So yeah, it’s really, really disappointing for us. I want to congratulate Chad for getting the point, for sure.
On home support
I think they’ve got great support from the spectators. And I want to thank everybody, the fans, how they welcomed us, to Chad. I want to thank all the fans who welcomed us here. They are very good supporters.
On whether players felt one goal was enough
No, no. I think, surely, going to a ball position, I think it’s very difficult to play on this terrain when it’s not watered. We can’t play fast, so it’s a disadvantage for us If the pitch is not wet, and the boys, surely, they play in Europe, they have a wet pitch, they can play fast. But the pitch was very slow for us, so it’s difficult to outplay the defenders. But also, I have to say, Chad did well in defending, and they didn’t allow too many chances.
On chances
For me, the most important thing is, the three or four good chances we had, we should have scored the second goal, to make our opponent weak, and also mentally weak, and us stronger. But we didn’t use our chances. Like I said before, in football, sometimes it’s like that, if you don’t use the three or four good chances you have, sometimes you’re unlucky and you’ll get one. Chad played very well at the end.
On having star players like Ayew, Williams, Kudus, and others and not taking advantage
In the end, I can’t say we played excellent, or we played well, because the result is everything, I know. If we had scored two or three goals, we would have talked differently, I know. But, again, respect to Chad for the good defending. I don’t know how many corners we had, we had a lot of corners, we did nothing out of that, we had a lot of shots, attempts on the goal, we had a lot of ball possession, and normally we have to win this game. So this is, at the end, surely not good enough, and we have to improve, especially on our execution.
On objective coming into the game
For me, in general, there are no small countries anymore. If you play away, it’s always difficult, especially in Africa, it’s always difficult to play away. You will never see big, big results in away games. I think no other country also scored more than two goals against Chad in general. So I can’t say it’s a normal thing that you score Chad with two or three goals. We did it in the first leg, but it’s an away game, and it’s different. Like I said, it’s normal, if you watch all the other results, the games Chad played before, they only lost one-nil, every game, away and at home. In football, there are no small countries, everything is close, and every country can defend.
On whether the result is a fair or missed opportunity for Ghana
To be honest, if you look at the goal attempts, the ball possession, the shots on the goal, the big chances, it’s a missed opportunity. But this is football, like I said, we have to take it like that. From tomorrow on, we have to think about Mali, we have to forget about the game. I’m very, very sure that other countries which will come here will also have difficulties. This is how it is; we have to look forward, and we have to beat Mali now.
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Sports
Black Stars face Mali test in FIFA World Cup qualifier – Preview

With only two rounds left, the Black Stars lead the table but can’t afford slip-ups against a Mali side still firmly in contention for a top two finish.
Ghana entered the September window with momentum, but a late setback against Chad pegged the team back in N’Djamena.
The Black Stars looked in control for large parts of the match, with Jordan Ayew’s first-half strike seemingly setting the team on course for a routine win. However, missed opportunities left the door open for Chad, who snatched a dramatic equalizer in the 89th minute.
The 1-1 draw cost Ghana the chance to extend their cushion at the top, though results elsewhere kept them three points clear of Madagascar and four above Mali.
For Mali, after a stop-start campaign that included too many draws, the Eagles reignited their qualification hopes with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Comoros last time out – putting them firmly in contention.
Dorgeles Nene, Kamory Doumbia, and Lassana Coulibaly all scored in a display that showcased both cutting-edge and balance, qualities Tom Saintfiet’s men have often lacked in recent games.
The visitors have proven difficult to beat, losing just once in seven outings, but their three draws have left them playing catch-up. Their defensive stability is impressive, with only four goals conceded so far, boasting one of the stingiest backlines in the group.
What Saintfiet now demands is greater ruthlessness in attack, where Doumbia and El Bilal Touré have often flattered to deceive despite flashes of brilliance.
With the gap to second-placed Madagascar now three points, Mali knows victory in Accra would put them firmly back in the race for automatic qualification. Otto Addo’s side are still well-placed to qualify for back-to-back World Cups, but sharper finishing and greater control in midfield will be needed to avoid more late frustrations.
Home form has been a strong foundation for Ghana’s campaign, with the Black Stars unbeaten in Accra so far in the qualifying series following wins against Madagascar, Central African Republic, and Chad.
Defensively, Ghana have conceded just six goals in seven games. With the likes of Mohammed Kudus and Jordan Ayew supporting Antoine Semenyo and Iñaki Williams in attack, this Ghana side has plenty of quality to punish any opponent.
Both teams arrive with plenty to play for – Ghana aiming to consolidate their lead and Mali looking to force their way back into contention.
Ghana’s firepower, especially in Accra, makes them favorites, but Mali’s defensive organization and recent attacking revival mean this could be a far tighter contest than the standings suggest.
The match will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025.
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South Africa’s Badi Luxolo named as Referee for Ghana vs. Mali World Cup qualifier

Badi Luxolo from South Africa has been appointed as the centre referee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I qualifier between Ghana and Mali.
The 30-year-old will be assisted by Phatsoane Souru (Assistant Referee I) from Lesotho, Cledwin Baloyi (Assistant Referee II) from South Africa, and Naftal Mweshitsama Negongo from Namibia as the fourth official.
Guezzaz Mohammed from Morocco will serve as the Referee Assessor, while Kachalla Babagana Kalli will act as the Match Commissioner.
The match will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 8, 2025.