4:3 - How Black Stars overcame Wild Beasts of Central African Republic in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

A sterling second half performance by the senior national senior team, the Black Stars on Monday night saw Ghana overcome the Wild Beasts of Central African Republic in their Group I 2026 World Cup qualifiers at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. 

A hat trick by Jordan Ayew and a goal from Kamaraden Sulemana ensured that the Black Stars won the match by 4-3.

It was the Black Stars who opened the scoreline in the 5th minute through a penalty when Sulemana was fouled in the penalty box in the 3rd minute of the game.

Jordan converted the kick by sending  Dominique Youfeigane the wrong way.

Comeback

However, the Central Africans equalised in the 11th minute through Louis Mafouta when he capitalized on a defensive blunder between Alexander Dziku and Alidu Seidu to beat the on rushing Lawrence Ati Zigi.

He increased his tally to two in the 41st minute when again there was a miscommunication between Ati Zigi and Dziku and he slot the ball to give the visitors the lead to send his side into half time with their heads above their shoulders.

Mafouta who also scored a hat trick on the night got his third through a free kick outside the penalty which went straight into the net.

Back from the Ghanaian side needed to give the teeming supporters who defied the rains and sat glued to their seats to ensure that the Stars came out victorious.

The Black Starts started putting pressure on the visitors and within two minutes, 60th and 62nd, they scored two quick goals through Jordan and Sulemana to take the lead.

Jordan would put the icing on the cake in the 69th minute when he slotted in his third and Ghana’s fourth after Youfeigane spilled ball into his path.

Standing ovation

Jordan and Mohammed Kudus received a standing ovation when they were substituted in the 76th and 89th minutes respectively by Elisha Owusu and Thomas Asante respectively.

The two players really played their hearts out and were very instrumental in Ghana’s win on the night.

Support

As usual Kumasi turned out in their numbers and filled the stadium.

Even though it was a working day and people would still have to go to work the following day, every single space at the stadium was occupied.