Ghana beats Swaziland to maintain topspot

Published on: 02 September 2011

– Good evening and welcome to the Accra Sports Stadium for MTNFootball.com's live text update of the all-important 2012 Africa Nations Cup qualifier between Ghana and Swaziland at the Accra Sports Stadium.

– Remember, The Black Stars are level on points with Sudan in Group I but are ahead on superior goal difference.

– Hence a convincing victory here this evening against the Swazis will all but confirm Ghana’s participation next year’s tourney to be jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

– Conditions here at the stadium are very favourable and the pitch appears to be in terrific shape to guarantee quality free flowing football.

– The support here for the Black Stars is not that encouraging as as the stadium is not even half full.

– As the match is being played on a working day in Ghana, fans are now rushing from work to watch the game.

– Ghana starting line up: Adam Kwarasey, John Pantsil, Daniel Opare, Jonathan Mensah, Isaac Vorsah, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Dominic Adiyiah, Derek Boateng, Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew.

– In the absence of captain John Mensah and assistant Richard Kingson, John Paintsil is the captain of the Black Stars.

– Ghana Subs: Samuel Inkoom, Lee Addy, Anthony Annan, Kwadwo Asamoah, Prince Tagoe, Jordan Ayew, Richard Kingson.

– Starting line up for Swaziland: Sandile Ginindza, Siyabonga Mdluli, Siboniso Malambe, Ntobeko Mthinkhulu, Sihawu Dlamini, Sifigo Nkambule, Thembacelicolo Mmema, Nkhosingiphile Tsabedze, Mbuso Gina, Dennis Masina, Mangloba Kunene.

– Subs: Sibusiso Mabuza, Jerome Ntjalintjali, Mfanafuthi Bhembe, Zweli Nxumalo, Sidumo Shongwe, Wellie Maseko, Sibonginkhosi Gamedze.

– Referees: Codier Adam (Chad) – Center Referee Yaya Issa (Chad) – 1st Assistant Referee Largue Jonas (Chad) – 2nd Assistant Referee Seyi Memene (Togo) – Match Commissioner. Mahamat Tahir Omar (Chad) – Reserve Referee

– Both teams are out led by the match officials and the Fifa Fair Play flag.

– The teams now lineup on the pitch for the pre-match formalities and the national anthems. Swaziland national anthem being observed.

– Its now the turn of the home side, Ghana.

– Ghana defends the Conference Center end of the pitch while the Swazis do same at the Independence square end.

– Masina and Gina over the ball at the moment, Swaziland will kick off this game as the fans wait in anticipation of what should be a comfortable win for the Black Stars. The players keeping themselves warm as we wait for the exactly 18:00 kickoff time.

1’ – And we are underway and immediately the Black Stars show their intent with an early incursion by Adiyiah.

2’ – John Paintsil on the ball but has been flagged offside. 3' A surge into the penalty bu Asamoah Gyan but ball has been cleared, first corner goes to the Ghanaians.

3’ – A surge into the penalty bu Asamoah Gyan but ball has been cleared, first corner goes to the Ghanaians. To be effected by Sylley Muntari

4’ – A long one in but has been headed clear by the visitors.

5’ – The game very scrappy at this point but the Black Stars have the upper hand in these early minutes. Free kick to Swaziland.

6’ – But this poses no danger to goalkeeper Kwarasey.... Ball now in the Ghanaian half of the pitch, the Black Stars are trying to build from the rear.

7’ – Muntari lets fly from about 40 yards but is way off target.

8’ – Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) scores!

– Gyan scores a beautiful header off a Dominic Adiyiah cross. The Sunderland hitman goes to the corner flag to do his traditional dancing celebration.

8’ – GOAL!!!!!!!. Asamoah Gyan has given Ghana the lead at the Accra Sports Stadium.

9’ – The Stadium now buzzing, they are urging their stars to give them more goals.

10’ – A routine catch by debutant Adam Kwarasey in the post for Ghana.

11’ – The now settled Black Stars are begining to pick their passes in midfield.

12’ – A penalty shout on a shove on Gyan but referee is having none of it.

13’ – A through ball threaded in behind the Ghana defence but Danile Opare recovers well with a neat sliding challenge to the admiration of all here.

14’ – Throw-in to Ghana quickly effected by Paintsil who is having a good day on the right hand side of the defence.

15’ – The Swazis who are yet to string more than three passes are warming themselves into the game with some neat tackles.

16’ – Derek Boateng brought down just over the half way line which is quickly effected, Gyan shoots but keeper Ginindza parries it over the bar.

17’ – Swaziland get a timely respite with Adiyiah being flagged offside. Ghana begining to ask more questions of the Swazi defence.

18’ – Free kick to Ghana within the Muntari territory but the Inter Milan midfielder wastes the opportunity.

19’ – Swaziland begin to build attack from the back but are immediately robbed off the ball, possession is regained by the Black Stars.

19’ – Masina draws the first save off Kwarasey but had already been flagged offside.

20’ – Ghana builds from its rear with Andre Ayew falling deep to get the ball for Ghana but his effort is wasted.

22’ – Another corner to the Black Stars to be effected yet again by Sulley Muntari.

22’ – ... but there is no connection.

23’ – Swazialnd player down injured but can't quiet make out he that is. He has been strecthed off the pitch for treatment.

24’ – Throw-in quickly taken by Ayew who is keen on getting Ghana's attacking machine going.

25’ – Ayew narrowly misses a surprise cross from Paintsil. The Swazi keeper Ginindza was completely beaten but Ayew's header is well wide. His skin is saved.

26’ – Kwarasey calmly handles the back pass under pressure from Masina the goalkeeper quickly kicks the ball for Black Stars to launch another attack.

27’ – Swaziland have weathered the early onslaught pretty well in my estimation and are begining to force the Ghanaians into rushing the ball.

28’ – Another corner kick to Ghana off Alambe's clearance but it is wasted.

29’ – Goal kick to Swaziland to be effected by the very busy Ginindza.

30’ – Ball goes all the way back to Kwarasey.

31’ – A rare counter-attack by the Swazis but it comes to nothing as Boateng regains posession.

32’ – Ghana coach Goran Stevanovic gets up from his bench once again to issue instructions.

33’ – Andre Ayew draws a free kick off Dlamini but held onto the ball far too long which results in a free kick for Ghana. Muntari lining this one up.

34’ – His curler is parried away by Ginindza, throw-in to Ghana for the umpteenth time.

35’ – The game is now getting physical, mind you Ghana has a very prestigious friendly against Brazil on Monday.

36’ – Asamoah Gyan trying to force his way through the penalty area of Swaziland but he is shrugged off the ball.

37’ – Gyan stretched off the pitch and is now recieving medical attention.

38’ – The resulting throw-in however is wasted as Prince Tagoe is ordered to start warming up. It appears Gyan can no longer continuewith this game.

39’ – Paintsil sends a delightful cross in but there is no connection, Swaziland quiclkly switches on the counter.

40’ – A first shot at goal which nearly went in-between the legs of Kwarasey. The home fans are least amused.

41’ – It is confirmed, Gyan can no longer continue as Prince Tagoe takes his place. The lanky striker has just signed for Turkish side Bursaspor.

42’ – Tagoe makes an immediate impact but goalkeeper Ginindza punches clear.

– The keeper remains on the pitch and calls for medical attention.

44’ – Four miunutes displayed as added on time.

45’ – Ginindza being attended to by the Swaziland medical staff which gives both coaches a chance to speak with their players.

45 + 1’ – Ghana trying to get a goal before hitting the locker room for halftime but it is just not happening.

45 + 3’ – Prince Tagoe with a chance but shoots straight at the goalkeeper.

45 + 4’ – The referee brings the first half to an end.

– Ghana fairly dominated but the Swazis have proven a hard nut to crack. Ghana must make some changes as Sulley Muntari is clearly struggling in his role just behind the striker.

– Adiyiah has also not been forthcoming with his crosses. Derek Boateng has been the outstanding player in the match so far with Agyemang Badu showing signs of brilliance.

46’ – The second half gets underway with Ghana making a substitution.

46’ – Ghana substitution: Kwadwo Asamoah comes on for Sulley Muntari.

46’ – A chance for Prince Tagoe but the goalkeeper makes a save for Swaziland.

49’ – A chance for Ghana but Agyemang Badu shoots wide.

50’ – Ghanaians are furious as a Swazi defender Siboniso Malambe stamps on Andre Ayew in an off the ball incident.

50’ – Siboniso Malambe (Swaziland) is cautioned.

50’ – The referee lets the Swazi defender off lightly with just a yellow card.

52’ – The resulting free kick totally wasted by the Ghanaians.

53’ – A lovely ball lofted to Daniel Opare on the overlap who in turn sends a delightful cross in but Tagoe is unable to make the connection.

54’ – Once again Ghana coach Stevanovic is out of his dugout, he seems to be feeling the pressure playing at the Accra Sports Stadium, a venue that always demands massive win of the Black Stars.

57’ – Isaac Vorsah jogs off the pict to receive medical care, appears not too serious.

58’ – The Swazis are begining to impose themselves, the visitors have gradually grown in confidence as the game wears on.

60’ – Adiyiah forces a neat cross but Dlamani steps up to clear the danger. The home fans are beginning to get anxious.

61’ – Swaziland goalkeeper Lawrence Ginindza beginning to waits time but its just 61 minutes played.

62’ – Ghana breaks on the counter but yet again the attacks breaks down and I can tell you the Accra crowd isn't amused at all by the stuff being displayed by the Black Stars. The going indeed is getting tough for the hosts.

64’ – Sifigo Nkambule (Swaziland) is cautioned.

64’ – Yellow card to Sifigo Nkambule for time wasting, very uneccesary caution.

65’ – The Black Stars build from the rear, the Swazis I must confess are really holding the giants of Africa.

66’ – Paintsil drives one in from a rebounded pass but easily gathered by Ginindza.

67’ – Substituion for Swaziland: Thembaceliclolo Mmema makes way for Bhemba Malunguisa.

69’ – Ghana trying to get another another attack going but every Swaziland player is in their own half. Ity tells you the defensive mood the visitors have surprisingly adopted this early.

71’ – Goal. Prince Tagoe scores but has been disallowed. Linesman flag is up for an infringement against a Ghana player.

72’ – Swaziland goalkeeper Ginindza is receiving medical attention yet again, perhaps a play to chunk away priceless seconds off the clock.

73’ – Samuel Inkoom is receiving technical briefing, Stevanovic wants to make his last change.

74’ – Ghana wastes yet another glorious opportunity, Adiyiah unable to control a vital pass.

75’ – Andre Ayew is substituted by Samuel Inkoom, the last throw of the dice by Goran Stevanovic.

76’ – Pressure on Vorsah results in a deserved corner kick to Swaziland but has been cleared, Ghana goes on a counter.

78’ – Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Ghana) scores!

78’ – Gooooooooal!!!!! Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu foires in a shot from just outsidethe penalty area.

79’ – The Udinese man who has been banging in the goals for the Black Stars when badly needed has done it again.

80’ – Good footwork by Kwadwo Asmoah but his final shot is feeble but draws applause from the Accra crowd.

81’ – Substitution for Swaziland: Tsabedze is taken off and would be replaced by Gamedze.

82’ – Another substitution for the Swazis as Dennis Masina comes off for Nxumalo.

83’ – The Mexican wave going round the Accra Sports Stadium, fans are now beginning to enjoy themselves.

84’ – Kwarasey hooks one in which finds Tagoe but has been quickly robbed off the ball.

86’ – Wonderful piece of play by Derek Boateng, he is definitely a contender for Man-of-the-Match alongside Daniel Opare.

87’ – Agyemang-Badu pounces on an Asamoah pass but his touch is too heavy, goalkick to Swaziland.

88’ – Ghana earns yet another corner kick, to be effected by Agyemang-Badu, the goalscorer but punched away by Ginindza.

89’ – A free header to Jonathan Mensah but the defender heads wide off the ground.

90’ – The Swazis getting extra physical on the Black Stars who mind you had star striker Asamoah Gyan taken off injured.

90 + 1’ – Fourth official displays four minutes as added time. Adiyiah shoots from the edge of the box but gathered on the second attempt by Ginindza.

90 + 3’ – Asamoah shootys from wide, hits the inside of the bar and out, very unlucky not to have got on the scoresheet.

90 + 4’ – The referee blows the whistle for Full Time.

– Sudan must now beat Congo to keep the group tight as they were tied on 10 points with Ghana before this weekend's roun d of matches.

Ghana line-up: Adam Kwarasey, John Pantsil, Daniel Opare, Jonathan Mensah, Isaac Vorsah, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Dominic Adiyiah, Derek Boateng, Asamoah Gyan, Sulley Muntari, Andre Ayew.

Please follow the live updates of the match between Ghana and Swaziland on www.MTNFootball.com. The match kicks off at 1800 GMT (6pm Ghana time) but MTNFootball.com's coverage starts at 17:30 GMT with live updates from the Accra Sports Stadium. If any Ghana TV station is showing the match please watch it on our live TV stations on our homepage.

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