Good afternoon and welcome to the live text coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Zimbabwe and Ghana.
The two sides met last Friday as the Black Stars walloped the Warriors 3-1 to secure the maximum points.
Today in Harare, Zimbabwe are playing host to Ghana and eager to revenge that defeat to have any chance of qualifying for next year’s global tournament.
Ahead of kick off, Ghana head coach Milovan Rajevac has named an attacking starting eleven that has captain Andre Ayew sitting on the bench.
📑 Starting XI!
16. WOLACOTT JOSEPH 18. DANIEL AMARTEY 17. BABA ABDUL RAHMAN 23. ALEXANDER DJIKU 4. JONATHAN MENSAH 21. BABA IDDRISU 5. THOMAS PARTEY (c) 9. JORDAN AYEW 22. SULEYMANA KAMAL DEEN 20. KUDUS MOHAMMED 3. BENJAMIN TETTEH
We are gearing up for today’s encounter with just an hour to kick off.
First Half:
1’ Zimbabwe will kick us off this afternoon. The Brace Warriors are hoping to defeat Ghana to record their first win of the World Cup qualifiers.
3’ The game is lacking urgency in the first few minutes. Looks like both sides want to take their time to grow into the match.
7’ Great build up play seen teenager Kamaldeen Sulemana release on the flanks. He dribbled his marker but the final pass has too much weight. Goal kick for Zimbabwe.
10’ Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus both displaying quality on the game. Impressive piece of play from the duo.
13’ Ethiopia hit Ghana on the counter-attack but the defense of Ghana stands strong to avert the danger.
14’ Chance!!! Kamaldeen Sulemana with a trademark run into the area of the hosts. His efforts at goal unfortunately is unable to hit the back of the net.
17’ Ghana has so far stepped up despite playing as the visiting team. The Stars can score before the break.
20’ Zimbabwe hit Ghana on another counterattack down the left side. Defender Baba Rahman is there and stops the attack with a brilliant tackle.
22’ Mohammed Kudus turns in his marker with a nice dribble. He attempts to cross but the effort goes out of play. Goal kick to Zimbabwe.
24’ Knowledge Musona fires a fierce shot at goal. Ghana goalkeeper Jojo Wollacot parties but the call is eventually cleared to safety.
28' Benjamin Tetteh sets Mohammed Kudus, his long-range shot is inches over the bar.
31’ Goal!!! Ghana takes the lead in Harare. Thomas Partey’s thunderbolt strike from a direct free-kick finds the back of the net to down Zimbabwe.
43' A huge block on the line – Daniel Amartey's ball on target is cleared off the line, Benjamin Tetteh skies the rebound.
45’ We will do just a minute of additional time.
Halftime: That will be all the action for the first half of the game at the National Sports Stadium.
We are back after 15 minutes for the first half action.
Second Half:
46' Ghana kicks off for the second half of the Group G contest. Will there be another goal in this game?
48' End-to-end battle from both teams but no real chance created yet.
50' CHANCE!!! Ghana comes close to scoring a second goal. Mohammed Kudus shoots from range but his effort only rattles the crossbar.
53' Yellow card. Ghana defender Alexander Djiku has been cautioned for a foul on Kharma Billiat.
59' Change!! Kamaldeen Sulemana makes way for Daniel Kofi Kyereh as coach Milovan Rajevac pushes for the insurance goal in Zimbabwe.
65' It is that brilliance from Mohammed Kudus there again. He twists, turns, and opens up play but the effort at goal by Benjamin Tetteh goes wide.
70' Zimbabwe threatens with a good piece of attacking play. The final touch to create the chance is still missing, unfortunately.
74' Ghana goalkeeper Joseph Wallocot has not had much to do this afternoon. His kicking however puts the spotlight on him.
78' The game has dragged in the last five minutes. We might not see any other goal before full-time.
85' Substitutions: Andre Ayew and Caleb Ekuban have been introduced to help Ghana cross the finish line.
87' Caleb Ekuban already making an impact. He twists and turns his marker before winning a corner kick. No, wait. The referee says it will be a goal kick. The Black Stars forward disagrees but the decision stands.
90' We will do just three minutes of added time. Ghana needs to hold on to win this one.
Full Time: Thomas Partey's first-half strike secures a vital win for Ghana to go top of Group G.