- Thomas-Asante debuts for Ghana in 4-3 win.
- He plays final 2 minutes, helping Ghana hold on.
- Ayew scores hat-trick, Issahaku also scores.
- Ghana tops Group I with 9 points from 4 games.
West Brom forward Brandon Thomas-Asante made his debut for Ghana in a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic on a rain-soaked Monday night at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Thomas-Asante was included in Otto Addo’s 26-man squad for this month’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers after impressing in the English Championship.
He was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win against Mali in Bamako but was brought on in the closing stages against Central African Republic for his debut. The 25-year-old forward replaced Mohammed Kudus in the 88th minute, helping the Black Stars hold on for an important win to go top of the group.
Ghana seized an early advantage when Fatawu Issahaku won a penalty after just three minutes, which Jordan Ayew confidently converted. However, the Central African Republic quickly responded, with Louis Mafouta finding the net twice in the 11th and 41st minutes, propelling the visitors to a 2-1 lead at halftime.
The Black Stars mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, with Ayew restoring parity on the hour mark by nodding in a well-placed cross from Gideon Mensah. Just two minutes later, Issahaku regained the lead for Ghana with a deflected effort, and Ayew completed his hat-trick and sealed Ghana’s triumph by capitalizing on a rebound after Mohammed Kudus’ shot was blocked.
Despite CAR managing to pull one back with a powerful strike from Mafouta, completing his own hat-trick, Ghana held on for a narrow 4-3 victory.
This win catapults the Black Stars to the summit of Group I, leapfrogging Madagascar and Comoros, with nine points from four games played, and Thomas-Asante’s performance provided a glimpse of his potential contribution to the team in future matches.
