Ghana produced an outstanding performance to beat arch-rivals Nigeria 2-0 in Kumasi on Sunday to qualify for the All African Games.
The Black Meteors’ victory took the tie to 3-3 on aggregate but the Ghanaians advance on away goals rules to bring some relieve to the country’s game.
Midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu fired the home side into the lead on 10 minutes with his trademark pile-driver from a free-kick at the edge of the box.
The Black Meteors sealed their victory thanks to a 70th minute effort from midfielder Richard Mpong.
The goal was what the Ghanaians needed to ensure qualification for the competition to be held in Maputo in September.
Ghana coach Akwesi Appiah named a totally unrecognizable squad for the game after losing several players to their European sides who are on pre-season.
But his squad, dominated by home-based players, managed to produce the desired result that dispatch the Dream Team.
Ghana FA officials pleaded with Udinese to release midfielder Agyemang-Badu and their effort brought the desired result as the ‘Bone Crusher’ produced a man-of-the-match performance.
The enforcer, who was released just two days before the game by Udinese, put the home side in the lead after firing in the free-kick.
Ghana could have been 3-0 before the half-time but striker Dominic Adiyiah failed to convert two glorious chances with one-on-one situations with the Nigerian keeper Theophilus Afelokhai.
Some resolute defending by Emmanuel Anyanwu and Amoda Usman also prevented Mpong and Sadick Adams from scoring in the half totally dominated by the Ghanaians.
There were some few anxious moments Nigeria playmaker Nnamdi Oduamadi caused the Ghanaian defence but Masawudu Alhassan and Edward Kpodo proved equal to the task.
Kpodo also ensured that the few passes dangerous striker Emmanuel Igiebor had, were not utilized, which highlighted Nigeria’s frailties.
Nigeria put some urgency into their game after the break but when Adiyiah burst on the left and set up Mpong, the diminutive striker did not miss from eight yards out as he shot to give the Ghanaians the 2-0 cushion.
The Dream Team’s misery was compounded by injury to Oduamadi which gave the Ghanaian defenders the chance to move forward to create chances.
But Nigeria failed to punish them on the break which ensured that the Black Meteors’ qualification to the competition in Maputo.
Squad:
Ghana line-up: Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, Masawudu Alhassan, Edward Kpodo, Adams Ahmed, Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu, Isaac Cofie, Latif Salifu, Richard Mpong, Saddick Adams, Dominic Adiyiah.
Nigeria line-up: Theophilus Afelokhai-Anyanwu Emmanuel, Lawal Raheem, Amoda Usman, Igiebor Emmanuel-Ekigho Ehiosou, Eneji Otekpa, Suswam Peter Terna, Otubanjo Ussif- Udoh Kingsley, Nnamdi Oduamadu.
Source: MTNFootball.com