After giving up a thrilling late equalizer in their 1-1 draw with Chad in Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, Ghana had a miserable afternoon in N’Djamena.
The Black Stars’ attempts to secure early qualification for the world championship are hampered by the outcome.
The breakthrough occurred in the 17th minute when Jordan Ayew scored his sixth goal of the season, continuing his impressive scoring streak. Mohammed Kudus, whose flare and inventiveness were evident throughout, moved past his right-wing marker before putting in a low cross.
Otto Addo’s team gained an early lead thanks to Ayew’s deft movement, which made it easy for him to slot home.
Ghana had multiple opportunities to increase their advantage and appeared to be the superior team for extended periods of time.
Under the leadership of recently hired coach Raoul Savoy, Chad maintained their composure despite going behind.
They maintained their faith despite having a reorganized team as opposed to the one that was crushed 5-0 in Accra.
In the 89th minute, Young Africans SC striker Ecua Celestin’s flash of genius proved that perseverance was worthwhile.
He leveled the score and set off wild scenes inside the Stade Olympique Marechal Idriss Deby Itno by picking the ball just beyond the area and launching a precise strike that soared past Benjamin Asare.
The pitch feels like concrete, thus Coach Otto Addo expressed surprise that it was authorized for an international competition in his pre-game interview.
“Yeah, so, yeah, I’m really surprised that they have allowed this pitch for an international match. The pitch is really, really not good. It’s very, very hard for the players, it’s like playing on concrete.But yeah, what can we do? We have to take it as it comes, and we are prepared.
“We observed everything today. Like I said, it’s not a good AstroTurf, to be honest. Nowadays, there are far better Astroturfs, which are also much healthier for the players,” Coach Otto Addo shared as quoted on the ghanafa.org.
Thursday’s clash between Chad and Ghana will kick off at 1 pm.
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, Otto Addo spoke to us prior to our 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Chad in N’djamena.
Otto Addo provided an update on players like Alexander Djiku, Joseph Painstil, Derrick Kohn, Mohammed Kudus, and Mohammed during the conversation at Hotel L’Amitie. He also evaluated our opponents for Matchday 7.
See our transcript below to hear all he had to say.
Nothing much, I think we had a good training today. Everybody is healthy, training looks sharp, so I’m very, very happy.
Otto Addo On playing on an Astroturf
Yeah, so, yeah, I’m really, surprised that they have allowed this pitch for an international match. The pitch is really, really not good. It’s very, very hard for the players, it’s like playing on concrete. But yeah, what can we do? We have to take it as it comes and we are prepared. We observed everything today. Like I said, it’s not a good AstroTurf, to be honest. Nowadays, there are far better Astroturf’s, which are also much healthier for the players.
Otto Addo On Chad
We’re excited, looking forward to that match. We know it’s going to be tough to play away in Africa, it’s always tough. Now, also under these circumstances, it will be different because the players are not used to playing on artificial grass. But let’s see, I think we are mentally prepared. And like I said, the boys look good and sharp on the pitch today. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to the match tomorrow.
Otto Addo On players’ mentality
Yeah, it’s a special moment, I think, for the country. But like I said, we have to really be focused on the game. We blend everything else out and we know what our aim is. Our aim is to qualify for the World Cup. And if we beat Chad, we’re getting closer. So, we do everything we can to win this match.
Otto Addo On absence of Joseph Painstil and Alexander Djiku
They are important players, that is why I have invited them. But yeah, like I said, we have to take it as it comes. Surely, full understanding for Djiku, he has to find a club for the future, and he has to do the medical check. So, there’s nothing we can do about that. And yeah, with Joseph, it’s always difficult, you know, traveling from America, especially from Los Angeles, It’s very, very far. And sometimes if there’s one delay in any flight, you can’t get the connection flight. And this is what happened to him. And unfortunately, he can’t be joining us. But I’m looking forward to the next game, also for him to be part of the team.
Otto Addo On taking one game at a time
Sure, we have to take it as it comes. Anything else doesn’t make sense. We have to do our homeworks now here in Chad. We have to win this match to keep those who are behind us in their place, at least with the same points behind us. And if we are a little bit lucky, we can even extend the points. So we have to do our homework. And the worst thing we can do is to underrate Chad. I hear a lot of people talking about Chad as if they’re not that good. And yeah, it’s an easy win. People are already talking about the World Cup, but I think this is the biggest mistake we could do, to underrate a team, to think we have already made it. No, it’s hard work. It’s going to be very, very hard tomorrow. It’s going to be tough. The game is on an astro turf. It’s a different terrain. And they are at home. The fans will be cheering for them. So it’s going to be difficult. Nowadays in football, there are no more small teams. And I know that surely if we get an early goal or so, it can be easier. But in football, anything can happen. And like I said, we don’t have to underrate them. We have to be focused. We have to be concentrated and we have to believe in ourselves.
Otto Addo On Ghana being favourites on paper
Sure, sure. I mean, like I said, we’re very close, but we’re not there yet. And yeah, I just try to emphasise to the players that they have to work even harder now. Nobody should relax or think it will go by itself. It’s hard work, hard work. And for this, we have to be very, very sharp and focus and to push each other. And then I think if we do so, we will get the right results. I like it this way rather than the other way around.
Otto Addo On having Ghanaian players hit form at club level
Really, a lot of Ghanaians are doing good all over the world, and it’s really, really not easy. And yeah, we have a good team. We watch a lot of matches. We observe. We try to find out which player fits to our playing style. And yeah, like I said, I think and I hope we made the right decision at the moment. But surely there are a lot of other players which haven’t been called. And we’re always looking at their performance at the club and surely also the performance which they had here. And yeah, this keeps it very, very positive. Like I said, I like it more this way. I like them to make it difficult for me to decide who will come to the national team than the other way around. That we are lacking players and we’re trying to look who can even play the standards. And I’m very, very happy that the situation is how it is now.
Otto Addo On Derrick Kohn
Yeah, I’m happy for him that he made it into the squad. And to make it step by step. And he just changed the club to Union Berlin in Hamburg in the German Bundesliga. And his performance there also, it’s important for me to see which standard he has at the moment. He came from Galatasaray. I think he had a good season last year. And yeah, he has to keep it up. There’s concurrence on each position. And yeah, let’s see what will happen.
Otto Addo On Kamal Deen, Thomas, Kudus, Tariq and Ibrahim Osman changing clubs and what it means to the team
Yeah, I think in general, every player should look to challenge himself. And if you have the possibility to play on a higher stage or on a better team, you will prove yourself. And this is also aplus for the national team. And once Kudus improves, because Tottenham is a stronger team than West Ham, it’s better for us because it will challenge him more every day in training, but also in the games. Once Ibrahim Osman improves, playing from the Dutch league, going to Ligue 1, which I think, is a bit tougher, in general, it will improve him because he will develop even more. And he has to find strategies to succeed in that league. And that will also, at the end, help the national team. So, I’m very happy that the players are making these kind of movements and changes just to develop and improve themselves. And at the end, if each individual will improve and develop even more to a higher stage, the national team will benefit from it.
Black Stars World Cup qualifying budget for Chad and Mali games cut by over $732,000
The Ministry of Sports and Recreation has cut more than $732,000 from the Black Stars’ budget for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Mali and Chad. This is in accordance with President John Mahama’s order to guarantee budgetary restraint and transparency in national team spending.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) had originally asked for $2,053,240, but after careful consideration, the government authorized $1,320,490, Sports Minister Kofi Adams told reporters in Accra on Tuesday.
“Submission by the GFA, adjustments by the Ministry, vetting by the Presidency, and final clearance from the Ministry of Finance,” he continued, were the four steps of the budgeting process.
The GFA requested $1,239,090 for Matchday 7 versus Chad at N’Djamena; however, the government approved $856,890, saving $382,200.
Imprest was cut, facility user fees were eliminated, transportation was rationalized, and bonuses were restructured, with players’ winning bonuses being cut in half from $260,000 to $130,000.
Matchday 8 versus Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium followed a similar strategy. The GFA requested $814,150, but the government authorized $463,600, saving $350,550. Once more, $310,000 was saved by reducing imprest, lodging, transportation, and bonuses.
Adams stressed the cuts demonstrate government’s commitment to prudent spending.
“Across both match windows, we have realised total savings of $732,750. This demonstrates government’s resolve to protect taxpayers while ensuring the essentials required for the Black Stars to perform are fully funded,” he said.
The Ghanaian Black Stars have landed in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, in preparation for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matchup with the national squad.
Following two training sessions at the Accra Sports Stadium, the Stars left Ghana on Tuesday night.
The Ghanaian national team, which consists of players and the technical crew, landed safely in N’Djamena after hours of flying time. They will now check into their hotel to rest.
To complete preparations for their match against Chad on Thursday, September 4, the Black Stars, under the direction of Coach Otto Addo and his technical staff, will hold a last practice later on Wednesday afternoon.
On September 8, the team will travel back to Ghana to play Mali in a crucial match in Group I of the qualifications.
The Black Stars, who now lead their group with 15 points, want to collect all six points from the next two games in order to guarantee early qualifying to the Mundial the following year.
According to Stephen Appiah, the Black Stars are prepared to play Mali and Chad.
Ghana’s National Men’s Football Team, the Black Stars, are prepared to play against Chad and Mali in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, according to former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah.
Ghana will play Mali in the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, after playing Chad at N’Djamena on Thursday, September 4.
With 15 points from six games, Ghana leads Group I. They have won five of those games, and victories over Mali and Chad would almost guarantee the Black Stars a spot in the World Cup next year.
The upcoming World Cup will be hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico and Appiah believes that the team is ready to compete in the latest qualifiers after witnessing the team’s first training session on Monday, September 1.
“Talking to them, they are ready to play the two games and we all know that we have two crucial games that will determine our chances for the World Cup. We believe that the guys will make it” Appiah said.
After playing at the 2006 and 2010 World Cup, Appiah is serving as the Vice Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee.
Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, has added some new faces like Derrick Köhn to the team as they prepare for their important upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali.
Derrick Köhn has arrived in Ghana and was spotted being happy to be part of the team. With his experience in the Bundesliga side Union Berlin, Ghana is rest assured of a decent performance from the new star.
Derrick Köhn was born on February 4, 1999, in Hamburg, Germany; he is also eligible to play for the Black Stars of Ghana through his heritage. He was called to join the national team of Ghana after a strong season in Germany; his inclusion in the team has raised the excitement level of Ghanaian fans.
The 26-year-old has been watching the Black Stars for a very long time, and his consistent performances at his club side secured a call-up into the Black Stars.
As the Black Stars gear up for pivotal matches in the World Cup qualifying campaign, Köhn’s inclusion brings renewed hope and tactical versatility to the left flank. With his pace, defensive awareness, and attacking support, he is expected to make a strong impression.
Fans across the country will be eager to see Köhn in action as Ghana seeks to return to the global stage at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Stay tuned for more updates from the Black Stars camp.
The team will train behind closed doors on Tuesday, September 2, before departing for N’djamena on Tuesday night. The playing body is anticipated to hold their first training session today, September 1, which is open to the public and media.
Otto Addo, who is the head coach for the side, has named a 24-man squad for the games, with Union Berlin left-back Derrick Arthur Köhn earning a maiden call-up.
Elisha Owusu, Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, and more players have already reached Accra.
Ghana is aiming for a fifth FIFA World Cup berth and leads Group I with 15 points from six games, three ahead of Comoros and five ahead of Madagascar.
Wolfsberger AC, a top-tier Austrian team, has extended midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang’s contract until the summer of 2029.
The 21-year-old’s outstanding achievements from the previous season earned him a new deal.
In 28 games, he recorded three goals and six assists.
“I’m very happy to extend my contract with WAC, and I can’t wait to celebrate further successes—like last year’s cup win—with our fans,” the former West African Football Academy SC player stated.
Agyemang joined WAC in the spring of the 2023/24 season and first joined the Reserve side.
His convincing displays saw him get promoted to the First Team where he has now become a firm staple of the side.
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, a Ghanaian attacker, gave Leicester City supporters a lot to celebrate on Friday night, but he also caused them concern when he hobbled off late in the Foxes’ 2-0 English Championship victory over Birmingham City.
After just eight minutes, the 21-year-old Black Stars winger, who missed a significant amount of play last season due to injury, opened the goal with a brilliant finish from an assist from Louis Page. He had been Leicester’s best player throughout the match. He was named Player of the Match for his attacking drive, inventiveness, and enthusiasm, demonstrating his value to Steve Cooper’s team.
In the 87th minute, however, Issahaku went down and had to be replaced by Wout Faes, dampening the joy.
The sight of the Ghanaian star walking off in discomfort sparked concern among both Leicester and Ghana supporters, given his recent struggles with injuries.
The timing of the setback is especially concerning for Ghana, who have important international matches coming up, and Leicester, who are depending on Issahaku’s form to lead their promotion push.
After such a dominant performance, supporters will now be eagerly awaiting word from the team regarding the severity of his injury, hoping it is nothing major.
