Black Stars suffer 5-1 humiliating defeat against Austria in Vienna

Ghana’s build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered an early setback on Friday night after the Black Stars were handed a heavy 5-1 defeat in an international friendly in Vienna.

⏱️ Full time at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.



🇦🇹 Austria 5️⃣-1️⃣ Ghana 🇬🇭#BlackStars || #AUSGHA pic.twitter.com/oQvF5mQRbV

— 🇬🇭 Black Stars (@GhanaBlackstars) March 27, 2026

The four-time African champions were guests at the Ernst Happel Stadion, where coach Otto Addo named a largely unfamiliar starting XI for the first of two friendlies this month.

Lawrence Ati Zigi returned in goal behind a back four of Caleb Yirenki, Jonas Adjetey, Alexander Djiku and Derick Arthur Kohn. In midfield, Thomas Partey partnered Kwasi Sibo, while Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku operated behind striker Prince Adu Kwabena.

Ghana made a bright start but quickly ceded control as Austria grew into the contest. The breakthrough came in the 13th minute when a handball by Adjetey inside the box handed the hosts a penalty. Marcel Sabitzer calmly converted to give the home side the lead.

The early goal disrupted Ghana’s rhythm, though Adu Kwabena came close to levelling matters twice around the half-hour mark. Austria nearly doubled their advantage before the break, but Ati Zigi produced a fine save to keep the deficit at one heading into halftime, with Ghana yet to register a shot on target.

Austria, under Ralf Rangnick, raised the tempo after the restart and quickly extended their lead. Michael Gregoritsch finished off a move assisted by Sabitzer six minutes into the second half.

The pressure continued to mount, and Austria added a third in the 59th minute when Stefan Posch headed home from a set-piece after another crucial save by Ati Zigi had only resulted in a corner.

Addo responded with a raft of substitutions in the 70th minute, introducing Gideon Mensah, Jerome Opoku, Patric Pfeiffer, Ibrahim Sulemana, Marvin Senaya and Ransford Yeboah Königsdörffer.

The changes briefly sparked life into the Black Stars, with Ayew pulling one back in the 77th minute. However, Austria responded almost immediately as Carney Chukwuemeka restored the three-goal cushion just two minutes later.

Further substitutions followed, with Elisha Owusu, Christopher Bonsu Baah and Kamaldeen Sulemana all introduced, but Ghana’s defensive struggles persisted.

Austria capped a dominant display in stoppage time when Nicolas Seiwald added a fifth goal to seal an emphatic victory.

Despite the disappointing result, Ghana will look to regroup quickly as they face Germany in their next friendly on Monday in Stuttgart.