by Graeme Jackson
Wednesday Oct 08, 2025. 20:01
Ghana crushed the Central African Republic 5-0 at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, on Wednesday evening to all but secure a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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.
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.
Djiku, who was a constant menace in the CAR penalty area, but had failed to find the target, finally got his radar right in the 69th minute when he headed home, via the underside of the bar, from Ayew’s corner kick.
And Ayew himself added a fourth goal three minutes later, capitalising on a defensive error by lashing home a right-footed volley which gave Youfeigane no chance.
There was even time for substitute Kamaldeen Sulemana to score his first senior international goal, tucking home at close range in the 87th minute to complete a rout for the Black Stars.
The teams will conclude their Group I campaigns on Sunday 12 October, with CAR away to Chad in N’Djamena and Ghana at home to Comoros in Accra.
Central African Republic 0
Ghana (1) 5 (M. Salisu 20’, T. Partey 52’, A. Djiku 69’, J. Ayew 72’, K. Sulemana 87’)
CAR: D. Youfeigane, F. Yangao, C. Basse, F. Miambaye, B. Pirioua (D. Guesset-Bangagbi 56’), K. Namnganda (M. Djimet 46’), V. Baboula, P. Namsona (K. Beyissa 30’), G. Oualengbe (A. Urie 72’), E. Grothe (C. Yawanenji-Malipangou 46’), H. Gambor
Ghana: B. Asare, C. Yirenkyi, T. Partey (E. Owusu 76’), M. Salisu (J. Opoku 82’), A. Issahaku (K. Sulemana 76’), K. Sibo, J. Ayew, A. Semenyo (J. Paintsil 76’), G. Mensah, M. Kudus (P. Owusu 82’), A. Djiku
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