ACCRA; Ghana qualified for next year’s World Cup after beating the Comoros 1-0 to comfortably take top place in their qualifying group. They are the fifth African nation after Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria to confirm a berth in the tournament in North America next June.

Mohammed Kudus scored the decisive goal in the 47th minute, converting an assist from Thomas Partey – although Ghana would have qualified even in defeat as closest rivals Madagascar were beaten 4-1 in Mali at the same time. The Black Stars have been to four previous tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals in 2010.

Ghana had a three-point lead going into the final round of Group I fixtures, with Madagascar’s slim hopes resting on beating Mali away and Ghana losing at home, but that unlikely permutation was never on the cards after Mali scored in the 10th minute. It was the first of two goals for Lassine Sinayoko, with the others coming from Dorgeles Nene and Gaoussou Diarra.

Ghana finished with 25 points, with Madagascar second on 19 and Mali third on 18.

In the group’s other game on Sunday, the Central African Republic won 3-2 away to condemn Chad to a winless campaign with a single point from their 10 qualifiers.

Already-qualified Egypt, who had booked their berth on Wednesday, rested captain Mohamed Salah but still finished their Group A campaign unbeaten as they overcame Guinea Bissau 1-0 in Cairo. Mohamed Hamdi headed home the winner in the 10th minute.

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