Defender Alexander Djiku scored the only goal of the match as Ghana’s Black Stars edged past Mali 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday night, strengthening their hold at the top of Group I in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The win takes Ghana to 19 points, keeping them ahead in a tightly contested group after a shaky 1-1 draw with bottom side Chad last Thursday. With Comoros defeating the Central African Republic 2-0 on Sunday, the pressure was on Ghana to secure maximum points and maintain control of the group.

Coach Otto Addo made four changes to his lineup, handing a debut start to late call-up Kwasi Sibo. Despite a frustrating first half where chances were scarce—Antoine Semenyo wasting the best opportunity after fine work from Mohammed Kudus—Ghana found their breakthrough shortly after the restart.

In the 47th minute, Jordan Ayew’s corner was met by Djiku, who bundled the ball into the net, sending the home crowd into raptures.

Ghana pressed for a second goal, with Kudus and Semenyo combining well, but the Malian defense held firm. Substitutes Kamaldeen Sulemana, Joseph Paintsil, and Iñaki Williams added fresh energy, with Paintsil impressing with his direct runs.

Mali, however, refused to relent, pushing the Black Stars deep in the final minutes. The visitors furiously appealed for a penalty in stoppage time after contact involving Jonas Adjetey, but the referee waved play on—a decision that sparked heated protests at the final whistle.

Security had to escort the match official off the pitch as frustrated Malian players surrounded him.

Despite the tense finish, Ghana’s narrow victory keeps them in a commanding position with two games remaining against Chad and the Central African Republic, as they push towards a place at the 2026 World Cup.

MTN Ghana has entered a two-year partnership with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), valued at $2 million, to become the headline sponsor for four male and female national teams.

This new agreement, signed on Thursday at MTN Ghana’s Head Office in Accra, expands the company’s previous 2022 World Cup sponsorship — which covered only the Black Stars — to now include the Black Queens, Black Satellites (U20), and Black Starlets (U17).

The deal, set to run until 2027, was formalized by GFA President Kurt Okraku and MTN Ghana CEO Stephen Blewett.

“Football is a passion that connects the whole country, and MTN is proud to be part of the journey to take our teams to greater heights,” said Blewett.

Okraku praised the move, describing it as a major boost for national football development. “This investment by MTN ensures our Black Queens, Satellites, and young players will have top-notch preparations for major competitions,” he noted. He also highlighted the challenges of nurturing young talent to professional level, referencing former stars like John Paintsil and Fatau Dauda.

The signing ceremony was attended by GFA Executive Council members, technical staff of the Black Stars, including Paintsil and Dauda, and MTN Ghana executives.

Currently, the Black Stars lead Group I in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and will resume action in September after missing out on the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. Meanwhile, the Black Queens, fresh from a bronze finish at the 2024 Women’s AFCON, are aiming for an even stronger performance in next year’s tournament.

President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has outlined a new vision aimed at transforming domestic football into a competitive and financially sustainable enterprise, anchored by a landmark partnership with Adesa Productions Limited (APL).

Speaking at the official launch of APL as the new production, management, and broadcast partner of the Ghana Premier League—effective from the 2025/26 season—Okraku emphasized that the GFA is moving beyond a survival model for clubs.

“We are no longer asking our clubs to simply survive. We are creating an environment where they can compete, grow, and flourish,” he declared. “One where clubs can not only retain their best players but even attract new ones from beyond our borders.”

Okraku acknowledged that while Ghana may not yet compete with the financial might of foreign leagues, the Ghana Premier League can still offer compelling incentives for players to stay and develop their careers locally.

“The talent of Ghanaian players is undisputed,” he noted. “Why should our footballers have to leave to be appreciated, when we can make this league a destination in itself? We may not match the multimillion-dollar contracts abroad, but we can create conditions that make staying in Ghana a real choice.”

As part of this new business framework, the GFA is introducing guaranteed financial incentives for all Premier League clubs, regardless of their position in the final league standings.

“Whether you place first or twentieth, your effort, your performance, your participation will yield financial benefit,” Okraku stated. “This gives meaning to every game and maintains a high level of competition throughout the season.”

He stressed that the initiative is more than just a financial intervention. “This is not a grant. This is not just a number – it is a commitment to club transformation,” he said. “It is the difference between delayed salaries and timely payments; between outdated medical rooms and fully equipped health centres; between empty stands and vibrant, media-ready stadiums.”

The GFA believes the Adesa-backed model has the potential to redefine the domestic game and stem the tide of player departures, while making the league more appealing to local and international talents alike.

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