In a thrilling encounter at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Inaki Williams showcased his goal-scoring prowess by securing a late victory for the Black Stars against Madagascar in the opening 2026 World Cup qualifier. 

The Ghanaian forward, who had faced criticism for his previous goal drought in the national jersey, silenced his detractors with a crucial goal in the 96th minute.

The match started with an unimpressive performance from the Black Stars, particularly in the first half. Despite a strong showing from Madagascar, Ghana's goalkeeper Richard Ofori was up to the task, making crucial saves to keep the opponents at bay. The intensity of the game saw Madagascar threatening the Ghanaian goal multiple times, creating a challenging situation for goalkeeper Richard Ofori.

Inaki Williams, known for his goal-scoring abilities with club side Atletico Bilbao, had faced scrutiny for his perceived lack of goals in the Ghanaian jersey. However, he proved his critics wrong when, in the dying moments of the game, at the 96th minute, he rose above Madagascar's defenders to head in the winning goal. The last-minute triumph sent the Kumasi fans into a jubilant mood, celebrating the victory at home.

Despite Madagascar's resilient efforts and even hitting the post, Ghana secured the crucial three points in a match where a goalless draw seemed imminent. 

The Black Stars will carry this momentum into their next qualifier against Comoros, which will be an away fixture in four days' time. 

The win places Ghana in a favorable position in a group that includes Central African Republic, Chad, Mali, and Comoros. The team will be looking to build on this victory as they pursue qualification for the 2026 World Cup.