2026 WCQ: Ghana Close In On World Cup Qualification With Emphatic Victory Over CAR

Ghana have put themselves within touching distance of qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup after they defeated the Central African Republic 5-0 at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, on Wednesday evening.

The Black Stars triumphed thanks to goals from Mohammed Salisu, Thomas Partey, Alexander Djiku, Jordan Ayew and Kamaldeen Sulemana, retaining their three-point lead at the top of Group I over Madagascar (who won away to Comoros in a concurrent match in Abidjan) with just one round remaining. Ghana also enjoy a clear advantage on goal difference (+16 to +8) and can thus effectively begin planning for a trip to North America next year.

Ghana controlled the game from the early stages and claimed the lead in the 20th minute, with defender Mohammed Salisu heading home from a Mohammed Kudus corner kick.

Mohammed Salisu rises the highest in the box to get the Ghanians on the front foot.

Four minutes later, another corner kick, this time from Jordan Ayew, almost brought a second goal, with CAR needing a sharp save from goalkeeper Dominique Youfeigane to keep out Kwasi Sibo’s powerful header.

The Black Stars should have doubled their advantage in the 38th minute when Salisu headed across the danger area to tee up Alexander Djiku, but the defender blazed over from close range to leave the game 1-0 in favour of the visitors at the break.

Ghana wasted further chances early in the second stanza before Thomas Partey doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute, driving home a deflected shot after good set-up play from Ayew.