The Black Stars of Ghana secured a place in the last round of qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup with a 1-0 victory over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday night.
Andre Ayew’s penalty, his 22nd goal for the Black Stars on his 100th appearance, gave Milovan Rajevac’s men all three points and took them top of Group G on goals scored, having been level with the South Africans on points and goal difference.
Ghana started the game expectedly, with early pressure.
After two minutes, Kamaldeen did well to win back possession in midfield, squares it to Kudus, who finds Andre Ayew on the right but after the captain’s pass is half cleared, Mubarak Wakaso fired through a sea of bodies but the ball goes just wide.
On 12 minutes, Kudus Mohammed’s night came to a premature end after he picked up an injury. He was replaced by Kofi Kyereh.
Moments later, Jordan Ayew did brilliantly to create an opening for himself and then roared towards goal, but instead of crossing, he opted for the shot at the near post, which inexplicably went wide. His appeals for penalty, waved away.
A great opportunity missed.
It didn’t take long for Ghana to get their next chance, this time, it fell to substitute Kyereh who broke free from the South African defense and sprinted towards goal, one on one with the goal keeper, he fired his shot over the bar.
All this was inside 20 minutes.
Ghana finally had their goal and it came from the man for the big occasion, Andre Ayew through the penalty spot.
Following a corner kick, Daniel Amartey was brought down during a tussle and the referee pointed to the spot.
On his 100th appearance, Ayew stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his 22nd goal for the Black Stars.
Ghana went into the half time break with their noses in front.
