Real Oviedo midfielder Kwasi Sibo made the most of his unexpected opportunity after being drafted into the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Mali, says head coach Otto Addo.

Sibo was handed a late call-up following Elisha Owusu’s suspension and an injury to Ibrahim Sulemana.

Despite the circumstances, he slotted into the midfield alongside Thomas Partey as Ghana secured a 1-0 win over the visitors in matchday eight encounter of the qualifiers.

“First of all, big congrats to him. I think, he really did well,” Otto said.

“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. Throughout you could see and I think for the future things will even get better.”

The Black Stars’ victory over Mali has boosted their qualification hopes, but Addo insists the team’s focus now shifts to October, when Ghana will wrap up their Group I campaign with decisive fixtures against the Central African Republic and Comoros.