World Cup 2026Q: Otto Addo admits Ghana's first-half struggle against Mali

Ghana coach Otto Addo has admitted his side struggled to cope with Mali despite the victory in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Black Stars conceded two shots on target in the early exchanges before ultimately going behind following a fortuitous goal by Kamory Doumbia on the stroke of halftime.

Close to the hour mark, Ernest Nuamah equalized with a towering header before substitute Jordan Ayew netted the injury-time winner to claim three points for Ghana.

"In the first 20 minutes we struggled but in the second half we were better,” Addo said in the post-match interview.

“Fatawu did great with his pressing late in the game. I think we did great in the conditions here. The game was 50-50 and it was even. At the end the substitutes made the difference.”

The victory, which was Addo’s first since he was appointed on a permanent basis, sends Ghana to second in Group I in the qualifying standings.

The squad arrived in Kumasi and look forward to securing another win against the Central African Republic in the next qualifier on June 10.

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