2021 AFCON Qualifier: MATCH REPORT- Andre Ayew inspires Black Stars to victory over Sudan

Published on: 12 November 2020

Ghana captain Andre Ayew celebrated a record equaling 91st cap with two brilliant moments of genius as the Black Stars cruised to victory on matchday three of the AFCON qualifier against Sudan.

Ayew, who now shares the record with John Pantsil opened the scoring with a sweet freekick to hand the Black Stars a deserving first half lead.

The Swansea star elected himself for a freekick few meters from the box after Samuel Owusu forced a foul from a Sudan defender, and he curled in brilliantly over an unmoved wall.

Before the opener Ayew had come close with an effort which should have been connected by his younger brother, Jordan, following a brilliant move started by Tariqe Fosu.

Sudan the came close through danger man Mohammed Abdel Rahman, but John Boye stopped him on a one on one situation before he threatened again with an effort inches wide.

Ghana nearly doubled the lead at the half hour mark after Tariqe Fosu weaved in a pass to Samuel Owusu who was denied by a strong save from Sudan goalie Ali Abdallah.

Sudan had a penalty claim turned down when forward Abdel Rahman was shoved off the ball by Boye, leading to drama on the touchline as coach Herbert Verlud hasd an altercation with the fourth referee. Verlud was cautioned afterwards.

Just before half time Andre Ayew had a goal ruled out by Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye.

Both sides returned from the break determined to make the best of the half, but it was who threatened first after Fosu fired from the flank in the 54th minute.

Abdel Rahman came close was again but his low header rolled out slowly leaving goalkeeper Richard Ofori ball watching.

C.K Akonnor made a couple of changes bring on Caleb Ekuban for Samuel Owusu and Nicholas Opoku for Christopher Nettey.

Ekuban immediately sent Jordan Ayew through, however his one-two with the Trabzonspor forward was cleared by the Sudan defence.

Ayew then produced magic with ten minutes left after taking on two defenders before unleashing a belter to make it 2-0 with ten minutes remaining.

At that point the game looked beyond the visitors as the Black Stars bagged another three points to strengthen their position at the top of the table.

The team will travel to Omdurman for the second leg on November 17.

 

 

 

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