Ghana: Strong comeback with a crushing victory against Madagascar

The 2026 World Cup qualifiers continue to deliver their share of surprises and twists, and this weekend was no exception. On the one hand, Ghana managed to knock out Madagascar with a crushing performance, while Côte d'Ivoire settled for a hard-fought victory against a team with poor prospects. A spectacle not to be missed for football fans, but also a moment of reflection on the state of competition in African qualifiers.

Ghana: A thunderous return

Ghana, once the king of African football, appears to be on the rise again. On the home court, the Black Stars crushed Madagascar with a stunning 5-0 scoreline. A veritable festival of goals that delighted the crowd and stirred the nation's soul. The talents of the new generation shone, proving that Ghana is not finished on the continental stage. While the country has endured difficult times, this victory is a breath of fresh air amid the fear of elimination.

Ivory Coast: Victory by forceps

On the other side, we have Ivory Coast, who almost played a very different kind of magic trick on us. Facing them, a Madagascar team, almost resigned to accepting the verdict, let the Ivorians walk away with a narrow 1-0 victory. The match was marked by failures and missed opportunities that made people grind their teeth: it looked more like a tragic play than a football match. The Elephants must pull themselves together if they don't want to be overtaken by less prestigious teams, but with undeniable potential.

An uncertain future for others

These results raise questions about the quality of competition in the African qualifiers. Ghana, with its massive victory, appears to have found the right vein to approach the upcoming matches with confidence. In contrast, Côte d'Ivoire must quickly rectify its situation before the end of the qualifiers becomes a waste of time. African teams face a major challenge: combining individual talent and collective cohesion to reach the world level. As the spotlight falls on these teams, one thing is clear: the road to the World Cup is fraught with obstacles, and every match counts.