Chad netted an 89th-minute equaliser to grab a surprise 1-1 draw against Ghana in African qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
It had appeared that the West Africans would extend their advantage at the top of Group I following Jordan Ayew’s first-half tap in.
But Celestin Ecua drove forward and unleashed a left-footed shot from the edge of the area which took a big deflection past Black Stars keeper Benjamin Asare to the delight of the home crowd in N’Djamena.
Ghana arguably should have put the game beyond reach earlier, with both Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo and Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus sending chances off target.
The Black Stars remain well placed to secure back-to-back appearances at the World Cup finals, as results later on Thursday meant the West Africans retained a three-point lead at the top of Group I.
Madagascar moved up to second place with a 2-0 win over Central African Republic, while Mali are a point further behind after reviving their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Comoros.
Only the group winners are assured of a place at next year’s finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Ghana had won five of their first six matches in Group I and appeared set to put their failure to reach the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations behind them.
But top seeds Mali will have renewed hope of securing a maiden World Cup qualification after seeing the Black Stars drop two points late on.
Captain Ayew was left unmarked in the six-yard box to give Ghana the lead in the 17th minute when Kudus teed up the Leicester City man with a low ball across the area.
Semenyo blazed off target on the stroke of half-time, and Tottenham’s Kudus curled wide midway through the second half.
Chad rarely threatened, but Franky Tchaouna capitalised on an error by Gideon Mensah to test Asare with seven minutes remaining.
The Black Stars were then guilty of standing off Ecua in the dying stages, with his strike securing Chad’s first point from seven outings in Group I.
The result will now put more pressure on Ghana’s home clash against Mali on Monday at 19:00 GMT.
The Eagles knew they had to beat Comoros in neutral Berkane to stay in the hunt for qualification. Nene Dorgeles opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a tap in.
Kamory Doumbia made it 2-0 from the penalty spot with 20 minutes left after Lassine Sinayoko was brought down, and Sinayoko then teed up Lassana Coulibaly to put the result beyond doubt.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
Follow us on:
