Ghana’s 2026 World Cup Qualification hopes suffered a blow on Tuesday evening when they were beaten 1-0 by Group I rivals Comoros at Stade de Moroni.
Myziane Maolida’s strike late in the first half secured a famous victory for the Coelacanths, who rise to the top of the standings as the only team to have taken all six points on offer thus far.
As for the Black Stars, they are placed third on three points after failing to build on their opening win over Madagascar last week. Mali are second on four points, with Madagascar (three), Central African Republic (one) and Chad (zero) making up the rest of the standings.
Ghana were the more fluid team in the opening half-hour of the match, with the likes of Antoine Semenyo and the Ayew brothers, Jordan and Andre, combining well to create some decent chances, though they failed to test Comoros goalkeeper Salim Ben Boina.
Comoros then found their footing in the game and claimed the lead in the 43rd minute, with Yacine Bourhane teeing up Myziane Maolida to put the hosts 1-0 up heading into the halftime interval.
The Black Stars made three changes within the opening 20 minutes of the second half, bringing on Mohammed Kudus, Ernest Nuamah and Majeed Ashimeru in an effort to try and turn the game around.
Yet their attack continued to lack a cutting edge, with the Coelacanths able to hold their visitors at bay and offer a sporadic threat on the counter attack – especially once Rafiki Said and Ahmed Mogni entered the fray as second-half substitutes.
Ultimately the hosts were able to withstand Ghana’s efforts to get back into the game and the final whistle brought confirmation of Comoros’ continued rise in the African game.
The teams will return to WCQ action in June of 2024, with Ghana facing Mali and Central Africa Republic, while Comoros will battle Madagascar and Chad.
Credit: supersport.com
Group I standings:
| Position | Teams | Matches | Won | Drawn | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Comoros | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 2 | Mali | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Madagascar | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | Ghana | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | Central African Republic | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 1 |
| 6 | Chad | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 0 |
