GHANSoccernet.com brought you LIVE play-by-play of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Ghana and Gabon at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Black Meteors host Gabon in the first leg of the second-round of the U-23 AFCON qualifiers. Ghana defeated Togo on a 5-1 aggregate scoreline in two legs to reach this round.
The Meteors have failed to qualify for the Olympic Games since they last appeared in Athens 2004. With the new format of qualification for the Olympic Games changed, the Meteors will have to qualify to the AFCON tournament which will is slated for November in Egypt.
The teams to reach the semi-finals in the U-23 AFCON will qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Below is the starting line for both teams
Ghana starting XI: Kwame Baah, Kingsley Fobi, Gideon Mensah, Musah Nuhu, Zakari Fuseini, Simon Zibo, Joseph Paintsil, Yaw Yeboah, Osman Bukari, Kwabena Owusu, Benjamin Tetteh.
Gabon starting XI: Apaya Ngouegne, Bilong Houdouna, Loudou Ngoye, Nadouna Hadouna, Youmou Ngadi, Mboundou Nbundou, Oyoubi Oty Grege, Babicka Shavy, Nboulou Nzigou and Ovono Essogo
Central Africa Republic referee Jean Marc Ganamandji has been appointed to officiate this match.
He will be assisted by Jospin Luckner Malonga as Assistant Referee 1, Oscar Vujovic Serengapou as Assistant Referee 2 and Dongombe Arcy and Prince Arcy as the Fourth Official. Executive Committee member of the Nigeria Football Federation Executive Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli, will take charge as Match Commissioner for the game.
Game begins in 15 mins...
The two teams are on the pitch now with CAF’s anthem being played.
Players of both teams are warming up as hey awaits instructions from the Central Africa Republic official to kick-start the game.
Both teams have exchanged pleasantries with the game just about to kick off.
Central Africa referee Jean Marc Ganamandji has blown his whistle for the game to start.
01: Ghana possessing the ball in their half, first corner kick of the game goes to Ghana
02: Corner Kick has been effected by ball has been cleared by the Gabon defense
03: First chance of the game for Ghana but the ball has been saved by the goalkeeper. A chance for Gabon but Kwame Baah makes a save to prevent Gabon from taking the lead.
04: What a strike by Kwabena Owusu and a beautiful save by Apaya Ngouegne
05: It's Ghana 0-0 Gabon
06: Osman Bukari was brought down in the box but referee waves on
11: It's temporal hold up as a Gabon player is down on the field
12: Good clearance from Simon Zibo its a throw for Gabon
14: Goal ooooo for Ghana Kwabena Owusu puts the Black Meteors in the lead. He curls the ball to the top right of the post.
15: Chance for Ghana, brillaint save from Apaya to deny Ghana the second goal
Gabon goalkeeper Apaya is on the pitch receiving treatment after that incredible save
It's Ghana 1-0 Gabon
20: Joseph Paintsil has been fouled, referee whistles in favor of Ghana
24: Good run from Kwabena Owusu but has been brought down and referee fails to award him with the foul
25: A chance for Ghana Musah Nuhu fail to score as he kicks the ball wide
26: Ghana dominating play here at the Accra Sports Stadium as they look forward to increase the lead
28: Kwabena Owusu's strike has been saved by Apaya. The Meteors striker searching for his second goal of the game.
30: It's a free kick for Gabon, ball has been effected, Baah comes out to parry the ball outside the box. Ball locates a Gabon player, this is dangerous for Ghana but finally it has been cleared away.
32 Ghana wins a free kick just some few meters to the goal area of Gabon. Ball has been effected but cleared away by Gabon
37: Gabon pressing Ghana for the equalizer but ball goes wide and its a goal kick
38: Nice clearance by Kingsley Fobi sends a nice pass to Benjamin Tetteh but he loses the ball to the Gabon player
Good display by Yaw Yeboah but he has been fouled by Babicka Shavy. First yellow card of the game goes to Babicka Shavy.
41: Kwabena Owusu on the counter attack for Ghana but he has been fouled by Nbundou. Referee shows him a yellow card.
42: Free kick to Ghana. Joseph Painstil behind the ball and he hits it wide
45: It's Ghana 1-0 Gabon
Two minutes of added time.
Referee brings the first half to an end.
We will be back for the second half...
Welcome back from recess.
First substitution of the game, Benjamin Tetteh out, Bernard Tekpketery in
A chance for Ghana as Gabon goalkeeper comes out of the box to make a clearance but he misses. Kwabena Owusu fails to capitalize on the chance
47: Goal oooo for Ghana as Bernard Tekpertey makes it 2-0
55: It's Ghana 2-0 Gabon
60: Substitution for Gabon Nadouna Hadouna out, Ango Viannet
63: A chance for Ghana but Tekpertey fails to make it 3-0 for the Black Meteors as his effort goes over the bar
67: Bernard Tekpertey hits a long range it's goal kick
Yaw Yeboah on his A game today as he beats three players and sends a through pass to Kwabena Owusu.
A chance for Ghana. Owusu fails to covert it
69: Counter attack for Ghana, but the Gabon defenders recover quickly to save the situation.
71: Gabon awarded a free kick just some few meters into the Ghana goal area. Ball has been headed out. Counter for the Meteors. Tekpertey has been brought down.
75: Temporal hold as a Ghana player is down on the pitch. A foul on Tekpertey. Referee whistles .
Chance for Ghana Goal ooooo ooo
Osman Bukari makes it 3-0 for the Black Meteors.
Substitution for Ghana as Joseph Painstil comes out, Isaac Twum comes in
Chance for Ghana, Osman Bukari plays a feeble shot which will not trouble the Gabon goalkeeper
Ghana still searching for more goals in this tie. A chance but Simon Zibo goes wide.
Goal oooo for the Black Meteors as Osman Bukari records his second goal of the day.
It's Ghana 4-0 Gabon
We are into injury time
The referee blows his whistle. The game comes to an end.
It's Ghana 4-0 Gabon.
By Herbert Boakye Yiadom