Ghana will host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, with kick-off at 19:00 GMT, in one of the most decisive fixtures of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
The Group I encounter comes at a critical stage of the campaign, with both sides fighting for direct qualification.
Ghana top the group with 16 points but dropped momentum after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Chad on matchday seven.
Mali, meanwhile, sit third on 12 points and head to Accra buoyed by a resounding 3-0 win over Comoros.
On home soil, the Black Stars have been formidable.
They boast a perfect record of three victories in Accra, backed by a prolific attack that has delivered 16 goals and a defence that has conceded sparingly.
Yet head coach Otto Addo and his players know that any slip could prove costly, especially with Madagascar (13 points) and Mali closing in on top spot.
The visitors, revitalised under Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet, arrive with confidence and ambition.
The Eagles believe they can unsettle Ghana and ignite the race for first place – the only direct ticket to the World Cup from the group.
For Mali, victory would not only strengthen their standing but also put significant pressure on the leaders as the qualifiers enter their final stretch.
The group remains finely poised, with four teams still in realistic contention for a place at the 2026 finals.
The outcome in Accra is expected to reshape the trajectory of the campaign, intensifying an already gripping contest.
How to watch the match
The game will be broadcast live on beIN Sports and L’Équipe Live Foot, offering fans across multiple regions the chance to follow the action in real time.
For those seeking text coverage, Foot Mercato will provide live commentary throughout the clash.
With the stakes so high and the margins so fine, Monday’s meeting is set to be one of the defining battles of the qualifiers.
For Ghana, it is about holding their nerve at the summit; for Mali, it is an opportunity to reassert themselves as genuine contenders.
