The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the match officials for Ghana’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I qualifier against Mali, with South African referee Badi Luxolo appointed as the centre referee. The highly anticipated clash is set for Monday evening at the Accra Sports Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. local time.
Match Officials Appointed
Luxolo, one of Africa’s rising refereeing talents at just 30 years old, will be at the heart of proceedings in a game that could define the Black Stars’ qualification hopes. He will be supported by an experienced team of officials from across the continent:
Assistant Referee I: Phatsoane Souru (Lesotho)
Assistant Referee II: Cledwin Baloyi (South Africa)
Fourth Official: Naftal Mweshitsama Negongo (Namibia)
Referee Assessor: Guezzaz Mohammed (Morocco)
Match Commissioner: Kachalla Babagana Kalli (Nigeria)
The appointment of a diverse panel of referees underscores CAF’s commitment to neutrality and fairness in a match that carries high stakes for both nations.
Group I Table and Stakes
Ghana currently sits at the top of Group I with 16 points, just one point clear of Comoros, who climbed to 15 after defeating the Central African Republic 2-0 on Sunday. Madagascar follows closely with 13 points, while Mali is in fourth place with 12. The Central African Republic trails on 5 points, and Chad remains bottom of the group with just a single point.
The standings highlight how tight the group has become, with four teams still realistically in the hunt for the top spot that guarantees automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For the Black Stars, victory at home against Mali is seen as crucial to maintaining control of their destiny.
Ghana’s Position Going Into the Game
The Black Stars head into Monday’s clash after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Chad in N’Djamena last Thursday. Jordan Ayew had given Ghana an early lead in the 17th minute, but a late equalizer from Celestine Ecau denied them all three points.
The result was a setback for Otto Addo’s men, who had hoped to create more breathing space at the summit of the table. Instead, it has kept the group finely balanced, meaning the clash against Mali is now a must-win encounter for Ghana.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, head coach Otto Addo emphasized the importance of focus and determination:
“The positive truth is that nothing has changed. Comoros have won their game, and they have gotten closer, but for us, nothing has changed. We want to beat Mali at home tomorrow, and that is what we expect to do. The only positive thing about Chad is that we still have it in our own hands, and we can decide our destiny, so we will put in everything to win against Mali.”
Mali’s Challenge
The Eagles of Mali, meanwhile, remain a formidable opponent. With 12 points, they know that a victory in Accra would breathe fresh life into their qualification campaign. Mali’s Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet has already spoken about the quality of Ghana’s squad, expressing surprise that the Black Stars failed to qualify for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
“It will be a very tough task. I have huge respect for the Ghanaian team. I believe really that they have everything, and it’s shocking that they won’t play AFCON. A country like Ghana must become African champion in the near future with all this quality,” Saintfiet said.
His comments underline the respect Mali has for Ghana, but they also signal the determination of the Eagles to cause an upset in Accra.
Refereeing in the Spotlight
The role of referee Badi Luxolo and his team will be pivotal. In high-pressure matches such as this, every decision can have major implications for the outcome of the group. Luxolo has built a reputation for his calm authority and consistency in handling big games on the African stage, but Monday’s encounter is likely to test his abilities to the fullest.
The presence of experienced officials like Moroccan referee assessor Guezzaz Mohammed and Nigerian match commissioner Kachalla Babagana Kalli further emphasizes the importance CAF has placed on ensuring the game is handled with the highest standards of professionalism.
Anticipation Builds
With Ghana aiming for a fifth World Cup appearance, fans are expected to fill the Accra Sports Stadium in their thousands to rally behind the team. The atmosphere promises to be electric, with the stakes higher than ever.
For Ghana, three points would consolidate their position at the top of the group and ease some of the pressure that has mounted following recent inconsistent performances. For Mali, a win would draw them level with Ghana on points, potentially reshaping the group dynamics as the qualifiers head into their final stages.
Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. GMT, and all eyes will be on the officials, the players, and the strategies of both coaches. As the Black Stars seek to tighten their grip on Group I, referee Badi Luxolo’s whistle will mark the start of what promises to be one of the defining games of the campaign.
