Black Stars forward Bernard Tekpetey has heaped praise on Jordan Ayew for his crucial impact in Ghana’s 2-1 victory over Mali in the 2026 World Cup qualifier on Thursday. Ayew, who plays for Crystal Palace, came off the bench with just 10 minutes remaining when the score was deadlocked at 1-1.
The experienced forward created a significant chance that Thomas Partey failed to convert before netting the winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Reflecting on the match, Tekpetey, who was not included in the squad for the game, expressed his belief that Ayew should have been in the starting lineup from the beginning.
Speaking to Joy Sports, Tekpetey emphasized the importance of patience in such games, especially when facing a five-back formation like Mali’s. He commended Ayew for his impact on changing the course of the game with his presence on the field.
Looking ahead, Ghana will face the Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in their upcoming match on Monday. The Black Stars are currently positioned in second place in Group I with six points from three games. The team will be aiming to secure another positive result to strengthen their position in the World Cup qualifiers.
