Jordan Ayew scored a hat-trick in his 120th appearance as Ghana defeated the Central African Republic 4-3 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Kumasi.

This was the first defeat for CAR in five games, and it marked the second consecutive win for Ghana after their 1-2 victory against Mali in Bamako.

However, the Wild Beasts of CAR responded with their striker Louis Mafouta capitalizing on some poor defending by the Black Stars to score two goals.

Ghana had a chance to break from a CAR free-kick, but defender Tarique Lamptey hit his shot wide under no pressure.

In the 94th minute, a free-kick was on target, but Ati-Zigi punched the ball away.

Ghana faced more pressure as CAR continued to attack.

Ghana made another change with West Brom striker Brandon Thomas-Asante making his debut, replacing Mohammed Kudus.

Isaac Solet gave away a free-kick in the Black Stars' area as they tried to hold on to their lead.

From the free-kick, Ghana drove towards the goal, and Gideon Mensah crossed into the box, but Semenyo couldn't control the ball.

Flory Yangao, now wearing the captain's armband after Kondogbia was substituted, won a free-kick in the middle of the park.

CAR won a free-kick in front of the Ghana area, committed by Kudus.

The free-kick was taken by Solet, but the Black Stars cleared their lines.

The game restarted after the substitutions.

CAR was under pressure to turn the 2-4 score around with only 14 minutes to go.

Another substitution for Ghana saw Tarique Lamptey replace Salisu Mohammed, and hat-trick hero Jordan Ayew was substituted for Elisha Owusu.

Fatawu Issahaku was also substituted.

Ghana grabbed another goal, with Jordan Ayew completing his hat-trick on his 120th cap for Ghana.

Kudus struck the ball, but the keeper saved it.

The Crystal Palace striker got the final touch.

Two players, Youga and Djiku, were on the ground in the middle of the park after a clash, and the referee called for the medical team.

Ghana made their first substitution with Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo replacing Kamaldeen Sulemana.

Fatawu and Kudus combined on the far left of the CAR area, but Kudus' shot was weak and posed no trouble for the keeper.

Baboula from CAR shouted for a penalty inside the Ghana box after Kamaldeen hacked him down, but the referee said no penalty.

Kudus carried the ball and drove at the CAR defense before laying a pass for Kamaldeen, but the keeper saved his weak shot.

Salis won a free-kick from far out on the left side of the CAR area.

Kudus struck it, but Gideon Mensah's touch carried the ball wide.

Jordan Ayew held onto the ball for too long, dancing around before losing possession, but CAR couldn't capitalize.

A CAR defender cleared a desperate ball, but after the throw-in, Ghana entered the box with a fine chance, but Kamaldeen smashed the ball wide when he should have hit the target.

The Black Stars rushed for the CAR penalty area whenever they had the ball, but they missed all their early chances.

Kudus played a ball over the top to Kamaldeen, whose first touch was poor, but he recovered to take a weak shot that the keeper caught.

Thomas Partey motivated his team for the second half.

Ghana began the second half but lost possession in midfield.

The players emerged for the second half of the game, and Ghana coach Otto hoped his halftime team talk would reflect on the pitch.

CAR thought they had scored their third goal with another through ball that cut the defense, but the linesman raised his flag.

Namnganda from CAR drove into the Ghana box again after another loose ball from the Black Stars, but his final shot was terrible.

That goal shocked the Black Stars as all the defenders failed to clear the ball.

Thomas Partey, the captain, was furious.

CAR scored through their star striker Mafouta, who collected a ball, beat two defenders, and scrambled the ball under the goalkeeper.

Samed Salis struck another shot into row Z! Kamaldeen tried from the flanks, cutting back to a midfielder, but his shot flew over.

Ghana tried another attack from Sulemana to Kudus, but the West Ham man's pass to Jordan didn't reach the opponent.

CAR began to counter, but Kondogbia's cross couldn't find his teammate.

CAR won a throw-in inside the Black Stars' area, but they lost the ball to Ghana, who won a throw-in.

The CAR captain Kondogbia was on the ground, screaming in pain, and the referee paused the game for medical attention.

The Black Stars tried to sustain some pressure inside the CAR area, but after two throw-ins, the ball ended up with a CAR defender who cleared it.

CAR created chances for themselves, beating the Ghana backline again, but the striker blasted wide after dancing inside the box.

Kudus floated a free-kick into the area, but Salisu's header went wide.

The Monaco defender shouted for a penalty, claiming his shirt was pulled.

Seconds later, he blasted wide.

Jordan won a free-kick on the left side of the CAR area, a few yards from the penalty box.

Jordan Ayew blasted a shot way off target from distance after Fatawu and Gideon Mensah combined on the right wing.

A poor back pass from Djiku nearly gave the Wild Beasts a goal opportunity, but Ati-Zigi cleared it for a corner.

The Black Stars cleared the eventual ball, but CAR equalized.

Mafouta beat the defensive line after a ball over the top, took a touch with his face, and struck the ball into the net.

The Black Stars launched another attack with Fatawu Issahaku.

He passed the ball to Kudus, but his weak shot after Jordan cut the ball back was weak.

CAR tried to create something after going down by that goal, but Mafouta stumbled inside the box, and the chance vanished.

From the start, Ghana began to attack with Jordan on the far right of the CAR area, winning a free-kick.

Thomas Partey stood by the free-kick, but Mo Kudus took it.

The CAR lineup included Youfeigane (GK); Ndobe, Yangao, Niamthe, Guinari, Youga, Toropite, Pirioua, Namnganda, Mafouta, and Manzoki.