Mali’s head coach, Tom Saintfiet, openly credited Ghana’s vibrant home support as a decisive factor in his team’s 1–0 defeat during their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Accra.
Despite the competitive nature of the match, Saintfiet emphasised the impact of the Black Stars’ "12th man" — their fans.
In a post-match reflection, Saintfiet congratulated Ghana and pointed to the electrifying atmosphere created by a near-capacity crowd at the Accra Sports Stadium, which pushed the home side to a critical victory.
“It was a fantastic atmosphere,” Saintfiet said. “Ghana didn’t play with 11 players but 12 or 13 — and that helps the team.”
The result leaves Ghana at the top of Group I with 19 points, needing just four points from their remaining two games to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
The acknowledgment from the opposing coach underscores how strong fan support can elevate a team’s performance in high-stakes matches, especially during a hard-fought qualifying campaign.
Ghana will finish their group stage matches with an away fixture against the Central African Republic on October 8, followed by a home game against Comoros on October 11.
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