Ghana’s hopes of tightening their grip on Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers took a dent in N’Djamena as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited Chad side, courtesy of a spectacular late strike from Ecua Celestin.
The Black Stars looked on course for a routine victory after Jordan Ayew’s early goal set the tone, but a moment of brilliance from the Young Africans SC forward stunned Otto Addo’s men and sent the home crowd into raptures at the Stade Olympique Marechal Idriss Deby Itno.
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Ghana struck first in the 17th minute, Ayew calmly sweeping home his sixth goal of the campaign after an incisive move down the right. Mohammed Kudus, a constant thorn in Chad’s defence, skipped past his marker and delivered a teasing ball across goal that Ayew tucked away with trademark composure.
The visitors dominated possession and carved out multiple chances to put the game to bed. Kudus came close with a curling effort, while Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s low drive was denied by Chadian goalkeeper Allaramadji Ndouassel. Yet, Ghana’s profligacy in front of goal kept the hosts alive.
Chad, rejuvenated under Swiss tactician Raoul Savoy and far more disciplined than the side humbled 5-0 in Accra earlier in the campaign, dug deep and refused to fold. Their resilience paid off spectacularly in the dying moments.
Look at the Chad goal, the whole team is just ball watching.
No one tries to close him down properly.pic.twitter.com/9GrytDeReI
— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) September 4, 2025
In the 89th minute, Celestin latched onto a loose ball just outside the area and unleashed an unstoppable rocket into the top corner, leaving Benjamin Asare rooted to the spot. The stadium erupted as the underdogs celebrated a hard-earned point.
Ghana pushed forward desperately in stoppage time, but Chad’s backline stood firm. The draw keeps the Black Stars top of the group but piles pressure on them ahead of crunch fixtures, as their path to the World Cup suddenly looks far less straightforward.
