Iñaki Williams gave Ghana a winning start to World Cup qualifying by scoring deep into injury time Friday to secure a 1-0 victory over Madagascar.
Ghana has qualified for four of the last five World Cups, only missing out in Russia in 2018, and reached the quarterfinals in South Africa in 2010.
The Black Stars were a big favorite at home against Madagascar but manager Chris Hughton’s team struggled to breach the visitors’ organized defense in Kumasi.
What a way to get your first Ghana goal. Iñaki Williams with the last kick of the game wins it for the Black Stars. Look at that cross from Gideon Mensah ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/ZnZkKYKdGl— Owuraku Ampofo (@_owurakuampofo) November 17, 2023
Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts.
Williams finally broke the deadlock with a powerful header after the Spain-born Athletic Bilbao forward had an earlier goal disallowed for offside.
The Athletic Club striker rose high to head home the winner in the final minute of the game as the Black Stars got off to a winning start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Having tried several times to score his debut goal for the Black Stars, it finally came at the right time in an important game for the national team.
The Spain-born striker switched allegiance to represent Ghana at senior level, making his debut against Brazil in an international friendly in France last year.
Williams was part of the Black Stars team at the World Cup in Qatar and has since been a regular member of the Black Stars.
The two teams observed a moment of silence in memory of former Ghana and Levante striker Raphael Dwamena, who collapsed and died on the field last Saturday during an Albanian league game.
Finally pic.twitter.com/9auxUVLgnq— IÑAKI WILLIAMS (@Williaaams45) November 17, 2023
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Also Friday, Leicester forward Patson Daka scored twice as Zambia defeated Republic of Congo 4-2 at home. Lameck Banda and Fashion Sakala got the other goals for the host in Ndola. Silvère Ganvoula M’Boussy and Mons Bassouamina scored for the Congolese.
Malawi snatched a 1-0 win away to Liberia in Monrovia through a 78th-minute goal by teenager Chifundo Mphasi.
Libya won 1-0 away against Eswatini in a match played in South Africa, Comoros beat Central African Republic 4-2 at home and Guinea edged Uganda 2-1 in Morocco.
Nine teams from Africa will qualify directly for the 48-team 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. A 10th team could make the field through the playoffs.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - Associated Press)