Jordan Ayew’s early goal looked to have settled it before Celestin Ecua stunned Ghana with an 89th-minute leveller in front of a raucous home crowd.
Ghana started with control and were rewarded when Ayew tapped the ball into an empty net in the 17th minute after brilliant wing play from Mohammed Kudus.
The visitors created the better first-half moments but never found a second goal to calm the contest.
As Ghana retreated to protect the lead, Chad grew, and with the game slipping away, Celestin Ecua pounced late to earn a deserved share of the spoils at 1–1.
This was Chad’s first competitive home international on Chadian soil in six years, and their first at the new 30,000-capacity Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno Olympic Stadium, which was inaugurated in May 2025.
Until now, stadium issues and sanctions had forced “home” matches to be staged abroad. Thursday’s fixture marked a loud homecoming for Les Sao in N’Djamena.
Ahead of the game against Ghana, there was a debate about the pitch as Ghana coach Otto Addo described the surface as “like concrete,” arguing that CAF and FIFA should enforce higher standards.
Whatever the misgivings, the hosts made the occasion count and picked up a historic draw which doubles as Raoul Savoy’s first result since taking the Chad job in mid-August.
Regardless of the result, Ghana stay top but the margin is fragile with Comoros and Madagascar still to complete their fixtures this window.
The Black Stars have three games left: home to Mali on Monday, 8 September in Accra, then October dates against CAR (away) and Comoros (home).
Two wins from the final three would likely keep them in the driver’s seat, but any slip opens the door for Comoros, who also visit Ghana in October, to make this a photo finish.
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