The Eagles of Mali will host the Black Stars of Ghana at the Stade du 26-Mars in Bamako in a crucial World Cup Qualifying game.
The game is a must win for both sides to boost their chances of automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup to be hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The Black Stars of Ghana are currently fifth in Group I with just three points while Mali are second on the log with four points; making the game a must win for both sides. Comoros are on top of Group I.
HEAD TO HEAD
The last time the two sides met was on 9th October 2020 were Mali beat Ghana 3-0 in a friendly game. Since then, a lot of changes have occurred for both countries technically and characters on the field of play.
Including their first meeting on 28th August 1960, both teams have met 25 times with the Black Stars winning on 11 occasions. Mali have won six times with seven ending in a draw.
In their last five meetings, both teams have won twice with one game ending in a draw.
FORM GUIDE
Mali
Having comfortably beat Chad and drawing against Central African Republic in their first two World Cup qualifiers, that defeat to the Ivory Coast in the quarter finals of the 2023 AFCON stands as Mali’s only loss since March 2023, while they are unbeaten on home soil since March 2022.
The Eagles have won their last two home matches (1975 and 2013) against the Black Stars, scoring three goals in each game.
In their last six games across all competitions, Mali have just lost a game. They have been victorious in three and drawn the remaining two.
Ghana
In the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Ghana beat Madagascar and lost to Comoros.
During the tournament in the Ivory Coast earlier this year, the Black Stars failed to qualify to the knockout stages, finishing third in their group, losing 2-1 to Cape Verde, followed by draws with Egypt and Mozambique.
Ghana’s current winless run in all competitions accumulated to seven games when the lost 2-0 to Nigeria and drew 2-2 to Uganda in the recent friendly games in March. Ghana have also not won an away match in their last 11, dating back to September 2022, when they overcame Nicaragua.
Across all competitions, Ghana are have not won a game in their last six. They have lost 2 and drawn 4.
TEAM NEWS
Ghana will miss the services of their captain, Andre Ayew after new head coach omitted him for these crucial games.
Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams, as well as Joseph Paintsil, Majeed Ashimeru, Baba Iddrisu, Dennis Odoi, and Daniel Amartey were also excluded from the squad due to injuries.
Otto Addo has handed call-ups to Brandon Thomas Asante and Ibrahim Sulemana for the first time.
For Mali, Yves Bissouma and Hamari Troare will not be available.
The game will take place today at the Stade du 26-Mars in Bamako at 19:00 GMT.
