Real Oviedo midfielder Kwasi Sibo seized an unexpected opportunity to make his debut for the Black Stars, earning praise from head coach Otto Addo for his standout performance in Ghana’s 1-0 victory over Mali in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The 27-year-old was a late call-up to the squad, replacing the suspended Elisha Owusu and the injured Ibrahim Sulemana, and slotted seamlessly into the midfield alongside Thomas Partey.
“First of all, big congrats to him. I think he really did well,” Addo said in a post-match interview. “It is not easy to come from a certain environment to fit in the squad, but he knows a lot of players in the team and he connected very well.
He is very confident and I think he did extremely well when you see this is his first performance. He is a warrior.” The coach highlighted Sibo’s composure, defensive discipline, and potential for future contributions, noting, “For the future, things will even get better.”
Sibo, who has been a key figure for Real Oviedo in Spain’s La Liga, starting all three of their 2025/26 season matches, brought stability to Ghana’s midfield in a high-stakes match.
The win, secured by a goal from Alexander Djiku, strengthened Ghana’s position at the top of Group I with 16 points, despite a challenging 1-1 draw against Chad on September 4. Mali, with 12 points, remain third, while Comoros (15 points) and Madagascar (13 points) keep the group competitive.
Addo emphasized that the team’s focus now shifts to October, when Ghana will face the Central African Republic and Comoros in their final Group I matches to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Sibo’s debut, alongside the return of key players like Partey and Djiku, has bolstered optimism for the Black Stars’ campaign.
