In a pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier held at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako on Thursday, June 6, Ghana’s Black Stars overcame a goal deficit to defeat Mali 2-1.

The Eagles led 1-0 at halftime after Brest midfielder Kamory Doumbia scored during a goalmouth scramble in which the ball bounced off his body after being blocked by defender Alexander Djiku.

The game was on the verge of ending in a goalless first half during injury time, and Ghana was starting to settle into a groove.

Ernest Nuamah, Doumbia’s Ligue 1 teammate, equalized the score in the 58th minute following the intermission.

It thus went against the flow of the game.

He out-jumped the Malian defense to latch onto a deep cross from Lens teammate Salis Abdul Samed, who also plays in Ligue 1.

Both teams’ opportunities in the first half were squandered.

Ghana demonstrated that they were the team that desired to win during the five extra minutes that referee Amin Omar Mohamed allotted.

Jordan Ayew, who came on as a replacement, let Partey through, but the Arsenal player’s attempt to chip the ball over the Malian goalie was unsuccessful.

As the game was about to end in a draw, Black Stars substitute Ayew took advantage of a similar scramble to score the game-winning goal.

After being brought into the game, Fatawu Issahaku of Leicester City scored the goal with a run into the penalty area.

The ball rolled to Ayew’s foot, who tucked it in despite a wall of Mali bodies, but the Egyptian referee chose not to blow for a penalty.

Ghana has six points after the victory, sharing first place in Group I.

Mali will fall to third place on the log.