Comoros edged Chad 1-0 on Tuesday evening and moved two places up to within three points of Ghana at the Group I summit in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Rafiki Saïd's shot from distance in the 24th minute proved decisive to hand Comoros the win at Berkane Municipal Stadium in Morocco.
Both teams went into the match while seeking to redeem themselves from last week’s humiliation in their respective assignments. Comoros went into Tuesday’s game while hoping to atone for last week’s 3-0 home humiliation by Mali while Chad were walloped 5-0 by Ghana last week to make it 12 games without a win across all competitions.
Les Coelacanthes dominated possession and had the lion's share of opportunities but an improved Chadian defense kept the favorites at bay for long stretches. However, Saïd provided the moment that made the difference when he collected a loose ball, maneuvered away from a defender and fired a low shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Jourdain Mbaynassem.
Chad have now gone six games without a win in the group, their woes compounded by scoring a single goal and leaking in 15 goals. Comoros get the result they need to move back into second place, three points back of leaders Ghana with Madagascar and Mali hot in pursuit.
Group I Table (6 matches played)
Points | |
Ghana | 15 |
Comoros | 12 |
Madagascar | 10 |
Mali | 9 |
Central African Republic | 5 |
Chad | 0 |
The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontinental qualifying playoff.
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