Mali coach Tom Saintfiet hails boisterous Ghanaian crowd following Black Stars win

Mali head coach Tom Saintfiet was quick to credit the influence of the passionate Ghanaian supporters following his team's 1–0 loss to the Black Stars in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier on Friday evening.

Despite the defeat, the Belgian tactician praised the electric atmosphere created by the home fans at a sold-out Accra Sports Stadium.

Although stadium renovations reduced its capacity, a vocal crowd provided relentless support, which Saintfiet acknowledged played a significant role in the match's outcome.

“Congratulations to all the people in Ghana with the victory,” Saintfiet remarked. “It was a fantastic atmosphere in the stadium. Ghana didn’t play with 11 players but 12 or 13 — and that helps the team.”

The result leaves Ghana firmly in control of Group I with 19 points, needing only four points from their final two matches — away to Central African Republic and at home to Comoros in October — to secure qualification to the World Cup.

While Mali’s path to qualification has become more difficult, Saintfiet’s gracious recognition highlighted the collective spirit of Ghanaian fans, who effectively served as an extra player for the Black Stars in a match of high stakes and higher emotions.

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