Ghana book World Cup ticket after sweet revenge over Comoros

Ghana's Mohammed Kudus celebrates after scoring against South Korea yesterday. [AFP] Mohammed Kudus scored as Ghana beat Comoros 1-0 in Accra on Sunday to win Group I and become the fifth African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup after Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. Cheered on by a capacity 40,000 crowd, Ghana dominated first half possession and territory, but slow, predictable attacks meant Comoros goalkeeper Adel Anzimati-Aboudou was seldom troubled. However, the home side wasted little time after the interval in taking the lead as Tottenham midfielder Kudus struck on 47 minutes. Comoros only partially cleared a goalmouth scramble and when the ball was crossed low into the six-yard box, Kudus tapped it into the net from point-blank range. Success against Comoros was particularly sweet as the Indian Ocean islanders shocked Ghana at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and beat them again in the second round of World Cup qualifying two years ago. Ghana top the group with 25 points from 10 matches. Madagascar finished second with 19 points despite a 4-1 loss to third-placed Mali in Bamako. It will be the fifth appearance by the Black Stars in the global showpiece. Their best performance was in 2010 in South Africa, where they lost to Uruguay after a quarter-finals penalty shootout. Qualification for the expanded 48-nation 2026 tournament, which the United States, Canada and Mexico will co-host, justified the faith of Ghanaian officials in coach Otto Addo, who was under fire last year. There were persistent demands from the public and media in the west African country for Addo to be sacked after a disastrous 2025 Afcon qualifying campaign. Ghana, winners of the competition four times between 1963 and 1982, did not win any of six Afcon qualifiers and finished a humiliating last behind Angola, Sudan and Niger with just three points. The other four automatic African qualifiers for the World Cup was set to be decided yesterday and today with Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast and Senegal the group leaders. Egypt rested Liverpool star Mohamed Salah for their final match at home to Guinea-Bissau, and an early goal from Mohamed Hamdy delivered a 1-0 Group A victory in Cairo. Niger upset Zambia 1-0 in Ndola to finish second in Group E behind Morocco, and currently lie third in the mini-leagues runners-up table behind Gabon and Burkina Faso. The four best-ranked second-placed teams after the final qualifiers today advance to play-offs in Morocco in November. Whoever wins the mini-tournament, featuring single-match semi-finals and a final, qualifies for six-nation inter-continental play-offs next March with two World Cup places up for grabs. Niger striker Daniel Sosah scored in his third straight qualifier, firing a rebound into the net on 56 minutes after goalkeeper Lawrence Mulenga failed to hold a Victorien Adebayor shot. Meanwhile, the Nigerian squad, coaches, technical staff and officials arrived safely in southeastern city Uyo on Sunday. Returning home after a Group C win over Lesotho in South Africa last Friday, the jet carrying the Super Eagles had to make an emergency landing in Angola due to a cracked windscreen. The team media officer, Promise Efoghe, said a replacement aircraft was sent to Luanda and the journey to Nigeria was safely completed. Nigeria, the pre-qualifying favourites to win Group C, are third entering the final round today, three points behind Benin and one below South Africa. However, the Super Eagles could finish first if they defeat shock leaders Benin in Uyo and South Africa do not win at home to Rwanda. South Sudan coach Nicolas Dupuis has reportedly been suspended for 15 days and told to stay away from the national squad after a 5-0 home loss to Group B leaders Senegal on Friday. France-born Dupuis, 57, guided Madagascar to a shock win over Nigeria in the 2019 Cup of Nations in Egypt, and the islanders exceeded expectations by reaching the quarter-finals in their first appearance.

Ghana book World Cup ticket after sweet revenge over Comoros

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Similar Articles

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Similar Articles

Cheered on by a capacity 40,000 crowd,
🔥 Flash Sale !

Subscribe now and enjoy 50% off monthly and annual plans. Offer ends in…

0Days

00Hours

00Mins

00Secs

Activist files petition to block fuel price hike, seeks conservatory orders

Government launches construction of 114 solar mini grids in 14 counties

Kenya's cybersecurity skills gap persists despite training efforts

Ruto's budget limbo deepens as IMF digs in on bailout conditions

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

Ghana book World Cup ticket after sweet revenge over Comoros

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Similar Articles

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS