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Ghana captain Jordan Ayew has led from the front in the bid to reach the 2026 World Cup, scoring six goals in Group I 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 looked like the West Africans would be going six points clear 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 should arguable have put the game out of sight before then, 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, with a four-point advantage at the top of Group I. Yet that lead could be cut later on Thursday, with third-placed Madagascar hosting Central African Republic (16: 00 GMT) before second-placed Comoros face an away game against Mali (19: 00 GMT). Only the group winners are assured of a place at next year's finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States. African battle for 2026 World Cup spots intensifies Rise of local coaches shows change in African football Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup? 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 Comoros and top seeds Mali will have renewed hope of 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. And 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 (19: 00 GMT). African World Cup qualifying scores and fixtures African World Cup qualifying tables Last Updated 4th September 2025 at 17: 56 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.