At the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Friday night, Ghana defeated Madagascar in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier thanks to a late goal by Athletic Bilbao striker Iniaki Williams.
Antoine Semenyo and Iniaki Williams led Ghana’s attack in the first half, demonstrating Chris Hughton’s intention to go all out from the start of the match.
However, since Madagascar had the better opportunities throughout the opening forty-five minutes, it was unable to yield any significant outcome. In the 42nd minute, the opposition had the ball in the net, but it was ruled to have gone out of play.
The Black Stars got off to a fast start as Iniaki Williams flicked the ball off target after Jordan Ayer and Denis Odoi gave him a good opportunity and the Madagascar goalie parried Mohammed Kudus’ attempt.
Williams appeared to have scored his first goal for Ghana, but it was disallowed for offside. Madagascar was very near to winning shortly after, but Nicholas Opoku, a Ghanaian defender, made an incredible goal-line clearance to keep the score tied.
The diligent Iniaki Williams went to his highest point in the closing moments of the match to head home Gideon Mensah’s cross, guaranteeing Ghana’s hard-fought victory against Madagascar to start their World Cup qualifying campaign.
