Ivory Coast triumphed to reclaim the top spot in their qualification group, while Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus bolstered Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana, four-time continental champions, did not make it to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but after defeating the islands 3-0 on the road, the Black Stars are now five points ahead of second-place Madagascar in Group I.

Mali, the top seeds in their group, were restricted to a goalless draw away against Central African Republic, which further aided Ghana’s hopes.

With four rounds of the 10-game season left, the Eagles are in third place, six points behind Ghana.
Sebastien Haller’s header in the first half was sufficient to end a nerve-racking home match against The Gambia, moving Ivory Coast to the top of Group F, one point ahead of Gabon.
The only teams guaranteed a spot in the expanded 48-team World Cup finals are the nine African qualifying group winners.

The tenth team will have the opportunity to travel to the United States, Mexico, and Canada as the top four second-place teams compete for a spot at an intercontinental qualification.
In other news on Monday, Burkina Faso defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-1 on the road thanks to two goals from Lassina Traore, reducing Egypt’s lead at the top of Group A to two points.

After a 1-1 tie with Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, in second place, is one point behind leaders Tunisia in Group H, while Liberia, who defeated Sao Tome e Principe, is two points farther behind.

If the Carthage Eagles defeat Malawi at home later on Monday (21:00 GMT), Tunisia can increase their lead to four points.

There are 15 matches in eight groups for the sixth round of qualifying, which will be finished on Tuesday.

Ayew records a triple assist.

The West Africans are in a strong position to earn back-to-back trips to the World Cup finals, but Ghana will miss the tournament for the first time since 2004 due to their terrible Afcon qualification campaign at the end of last year.

In the eleventh minute, Partey, an Arsenal midfielder, emphatically met Jordan Ayew’s accurate free-kick to give the Black Stars the ideal start against Madagascar.

Eight minutes into the second half, Partey again found space to head home Ayew’s corner from the right, and the two players collaborated to make it 2-0.

Five minutes later, Kudus scored after Ayew, the recently anointed Ghana captain, sent a through pass into the box.

After Mali was frustrated by CAR in neutral Casablanca, the Black Stars, who smashed Chad 5-0 on Friday, increased their advantage in Group I.

With Abdoulaye Diaby heading narrowly side and Yves Bissouma volleying over the bar, the Eagles were unable to generate clear opportunities.