Mali will take on the Black Stars of Ghana in a thrilling showdown for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifications on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the Stade du Mars in Bamako.
Mali and Ghana share a long and storied history of competition on the football pitch, with their head-to-head record showcasing a keenly contested rivalry. Over the years, the two sides have faced off 24 times, with Ghana slightly edging out Mali in terms of wins. Ghana has emerged victorious 11 times, while Mali has secured 6 wins. The remaining 7 matches have ended in draws, highlighting the closely fought nature of their encounters.
In recent times, Ghana has enjoyed a slight upper hand, winning 4 of their last 9 meetings. However, Mali has been in impressive form lately, losing just once in their last 15 games. As the two teams prepare to face off in their 2026 World Cup qualifier, their historical record suggests a tightly contested and intense match.
Ghana’s football history is rich with achievements, having won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) four times, in 1963, 1965, 1978, and 1982. The Black Stars have also made three World Cup appearances, reaching the quarter-finals in 2010, a historic achievement for African football. Ghana’s youth teams have also shone on the global stage, with the U-20 team winning the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009.
Mali, while not having the same level of success as Ghana in terms of AFCON titles, has consistently been a strong contender in African football. The Malian Eagles have reached the AFCON finals once, in 1972, and have been runners-up twice, in 2012 and 2019. Mali’s youth teams have also performed well, with the U-20 team finishing third in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Ghana’s last visit to the Stade du Mars ended in a 2-0 triumph over the Malian Eagles in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with goals from Kwadwo Asamoah and Mathew Amoah. The last meeting between the two sides was in October 2020, when Mali emerged victorious with a 3-0 scoreline in an international friendly in Turkey.
As both teams gear up for this crucial qualifier, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will Ghana’s slight edge in their head-to-head record give them the confidence to secure a vital win, or will Mali’s recent form and home advantage prove too strong to overcome? Only time will tell as the battle for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies.
