Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, faced immense pressure to secure a win against Mali in Bamako, according to coach Otto Addo. The team’s underwhelming start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, including a loss to Comoros and a narrow win against Madagascar, left them with little room for error.
A defeat against Mali would have complicated their chances of qualifying for the World Cup, making the match a must-win. Despite falling behind initially, the Black Stars rallied to clinch a vital victory, reviving their qualifying campaign and ending a seven-game winless streak.
The team followed up their triumph over Mali with an exciting 4-3 win against Central African Republic, bringing their points tally to nine, equal with group leaders Comoros. With six matches remaining in the qualifiers, the top team in the group will secure direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Coach Otto Addo acknowledged the pressure ahead of the Mali match, stating, “Yeah, it was very important… there was a lot of pressure on this game.”
Addo praised his players for their tactical discipline, both offensively and defensively, and their belief in mounting a comeback despite being 1-0 down. The coach, re-appointed earlier this year after a disappointing AFCON campaign, has signed a 34-month contract with an option for a further 24 months, tasked with rebuilding the team.
With recent victories, Addo has garnered admiration, and he remains resolute in his determination to secure another World Cup berth for Ghana, with the Black Stars set to return to action in September for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
