Ghana Black Stars  made it back-to-back wins in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when they claimed a 3-0 win over Madagascar at the Grand Stade Al-Hoceima in Morocco on Monday night.

Therefore, the Black Stars opened a five-point lead at the top of the Group I standings with four games left. The West African giants will resume their qualifying campaign in September when they square off with Chad away from home.

Barea, on the other hand, remained second in the standings after recording their second loss in Group I. Coach Corentin Martins will be eager to ensure that his side returns to winning ways when they face the Central African Republic in September.

The Black Stars posed a major threat to Barea from set-pieces with Thomas Partey using aerial prowess to punish Madagascar’s poor marking and the deadlock was broken just 11 minutes into the encounter.

Jordan Ayew’s exquisite free-kick found Partey, who made no mistake as the Arsenal FC star headed past goalkeeper Geordan Dupire. Ghana were leading 1-0 at the interval courtesy of Partey’s 14th international goal for the Black Stars.

The Black Stars searched for another goal after the restart and they got it eight minutes into the second-half. Partey completed his brace with another headed goal from a Ayew corner-kick to make it 2-0 to Ghana – the former’s 15th international goal.

Ayew continued to torment Madagascar with his creativity and he grabbed his third assist in the 58th minute. This time, the Leicester City forward played a defence-splitting pass for Mohammed Kudus. who sealed Ghana’s 3-0 win with a close-range finish.

Madagascar (0) 0

Ghana (1) 3 (Partey 11′, 53,’ Kudus 58′)

Madagascar: Dupire, Fontaine, Morgan, Marcelin, Acapandié, Couturier, Raveloson, Baggio (Rakotoharimalala 69′), Caddy (Abdallah 77′), Lapoussin (Ilaimaharitra 69′), Randrianantenaina (Raheriniaina 69′).

Ghana: Asare, Djiku, Mensah (Simpson 80′), Opoku (Adjetey 83′), Salisu, Partey, Kudus (Annan 81′), Francis (Nuamah 80′), Ayew, Schindler, Semenyo (I. Williams 71′).