Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has congratulated his team for emerging as winners in a tough matchup against Mali that was played out in very hot temperatures in the Malian capital, Bamako.
Ghana beat Mali 2-1 in the first of two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, June 6 by completing a comeback in the second half with goals from Ernest Nuamah and Jordan Ayew.
Playing in the Sahel country had the Black Stars compete in a game that had the temperature clocked at 40 Degrees Celsius at kick off accounting for temperature and humidity.
Bagging a crucial win in such conditions prompted Otto Addo to applaud his boys for the immense effort they put in.
“In all it was well deserved. We played good under these circumstances, 42 degrees is very very hot for us. I think we did well to finish this game here as a winner.”
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The win over Mali moves Ghana into second place in Group I ahead of the Black Stars game against Central African Republic on Monday, June 10 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
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Immediately after the win, the Black Stars flew directly to Kumasi from Bamako.