Andrew Olsson
September 3, 2025World Cup Qualifying: Ghana in control, “do or die” for Mali in Group I
Photo: Malian Football Federation
World Cup Qualifying: Ghana in control, “do or die” for Mali in Group I
Group I will see all six teams take part in Thursday’s action from 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying with plenty at stake in the seventh matchday. Ghana have a comfortable lead but there is fierce competition for second place with the group runner-up in contention to advance to the qualification playoff.
Group I Table (6 matches played)
- Ghana- 15 points
- Comoros- 12 points
- Madagascar- 10 points
- Mali- 9 points
- Central African Republic- 5 points
- Chad- 0 points
Chad v Ghana (13:00 UTC)- N’Djamena, Chad
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Ghana always brings their best when it comes to World Cup qualifying and the Black Stars shrugged off a nightmare 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign by taking command of Group I. Thrashings of Chad and Madagascar in March have given the team a rather comfortable lead and now an excellent opportunity to extend their advantage arrives on Thursday against hapless Chad.
Attacking stars Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Iñaki Williams and Antoine Semenyo will be eager to influence a match where Ghana are heavy favorites despite Chad restoring the ability to host their home fixtures.
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Les Sao have yet to earn a point but this team will be different from the side that was crushed by Ghana in Accra back in March. New coach Raoul Savoy has experience with maximizing the potential of lesser regarded teams as seen during his time with Central African Republic.
Savoy has called in dual national players and other important players as opposed to the March squad that was composed entirely of domestic-based players. While Ghana are expected to win, the excitement of a return to home matches in N’Djamena combined with the influx of better talent on the Chadian side will demand vigilance and caution from the Ghanaian selection.
Madagascar v Central African Republic (16:00 UTC)- Casablanca, Morocco
Fresh off an excellent African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign that saw them finish runners-up, the Barea of Madagascar have full confidence with plenty to compete for as they pursue a first-ever World Cup qualification.
While a few members of that CHAN team including goalkeeper Michel “Toldo” Ramandimbisoa, midfielder Lalaina Rafanamezantsoa and defensive captain Tony Randriamanampisoa are included in this squad, the focus will return to stars and dual national players based abroad. A strong midfield led by Marco Ilaimaharitra and Rayan Raveloson will be the strength of the Barea, with Raveloson scoring twice in March’s 4-1 victory over Thursday’s opponent.
The Barea will face a Central African Republic side that is not at full strength, something that has rarely been the case for Les Fauves. Midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia’s presence cannot be counted upon these days and the powerful player is not in camp, leaving prolific forward Louis Mafouta as the star of a team that has failed to bring their best this campaign.
Mali v Comoros (19:00 UTC)- Bamako, Mali
There is everything to play for in this match, which has the most at stake of the three games on Thursday. Mali must win at home to keep qualification within grasp and a victory over second placed Comoros would go a long way.
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Mali coach Tom Saintfiet will depend on one of Africa’s strongest midfield corps. Tenacious central midfielders Mohamed Camara and Aliou Dieng are available while clever young attacking playmaker Kamory Doumbia will be crucial with Yves Bissouma out of the reckoning in September.
The story of Mali’s campaign has been missed opportunities and moments of poor focus as seen in disappointing draws with Central African Republic (twice) and Madagascar as well as a home defeat to Ghana that saw the Black Stars come back from a goal down. Lassine Sinayoko and Dorgeles Nene will be the sources of inspiration in the attack along with Kamory Doumbia, who was influential when Mali thrashed Comoros 3-0 in their meeting back in March.
Comoros’ defeat to Mali had a damaging effect on Les Coelacanthes, who were doing well to keep pace with group leaders Ghana up to that point. The island nation scrapped a 1-0 victory over Chad to bounce back somewhat but now the questions are back regarding whether this team is a serious contender to qualify for the World Cup.
But there is no doubt that this team has the talent to compete for a first-ever World Cup appearance. The attack is fully loaded with tricky wingers Rafiki Saïd and Faïz Selemani in camp while striker Myziane Maolida will look to return to scoring ways.
Coach Stefano Cusin has done excellent work with this team but against Mali, the concern will be whether Zaydou Youssouf and the midfield can prevent being dominated with regular Yacine Bourhane unavailable for the September FIFA window.
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