Jordan Ayew scores again as Chad snatch stoppage-time draw with Ghana

Ghana were pegged back late by Chad but stayed top of Group I after a 1–1 draw in their 2026 World Cup qualifying match in N'Djamena on Thursday, setting up a high-stakes home meeting with Mali later in the window. 

Jordan Ayew’s 17th-minute strike looked enough until substitute Celestin Ecua snatched an 89th-minute equaliser for the hosts.

Ayew — teed up by Mohammed Kudus — put the Black Stars in front with a composed finish, his sixth goal of the campaign.

The Leicester City forward now sits second in the CAF qualifying scorers list on six, behind Gabon’s Denis Bouanga (eight).

Ghana managed the tempo for long spells after the opener, with Emmanuel Owusu booked midway through the first half as the visitors disrupted Chad’s rhythm and protected their advantage into the break.

Chad made the game far more physical after the restart and used their bench to push Ghana deeper.

Aziz Tchaouana was introduced just before the hour to add running power, while Hamed Amine followed soon after as the home side committed bodies forward. 

Ghana coach Otto Addo responded with a double change on 77 minutes — bringing on Francis Bonsu Baah and Kamaldeen Sulemana — and later Osman Ibrahim for Kudus, but Ghana could not find the second goal to close the contest.

The price of those missed opportunities arrived in the final minute of normal time. Ecua found space in the box and, from Mbangossoum’s pass, swept home the leveller to ignite the stadium and deny Ghana a fifth straight win in the section.

 Mbangossoum was booked in stoppage time as Chad saw out a point that lifts morale at the bottom.

The result leaves Ghana on 16 points, four clear of Comoros (12) with two matches to play.

Comoros visit Mali (9) later today in a fixture that could tighten the race before Ghana host Mali on 8 September.

With Madagascar (10) also in the mix, Group I remains delicately poised with six points still available.