Sports
Black Stars through to play-off stages of 2022 World Cup qualifiers
The Black Stars of Ghana have advanced to the play-off stages of the 2022 Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup qualifiers after beating South Africa by a lone goal at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.
A 33rd-minute penalty converted by Captain Andre Ayew was the minimum requirement by Ghana to make the progress, as they topped the group with a superior goal difference, though they have tied 13 points apiece with South Africa.
It was a game South Africa needed just a draw to make progress whilst Ghana needed at least a lone goal victory to make progress, saw the two sides starting a very busy note announcing their intention to win the game.
Coach Milovan Rajevac made two changes to the set that played against Ethiopia last Thursday, by pairing Alexander Djiku with Daniel Amartey in the center of defence, ahead of Joseph Aidoo, and introduced Mubarak Wakaso in the midfield to partner Baba Iddrissu to provide enough cover to the defence.
Jordan Ayew reverted to his arrowhead role as the lead striker, taking over from Richmond Boakye Yiadom.
Percy Tau led South Africa were more possessive, and also came closer to the goal line of Ghana but Djiku and Amartey were resolute.
Ghana was however dealt with a big blow when Kudu Mohammed took an early shower due to injury and his position was taken by Daniel Kyere.
Both teams failed to create any clear-cut chance from open play apart from corner-kicks and free-kicks that came the way of the stars which were utilized especially in the first half.
But the Stars opened the scoring in the 33rd minute through a penalty converted by Andre Ayew, after Daniel Amartey was pushed in the vital area.
Ayew’s penalty took the stars into the dressing room with the needed one-goal advantage after 45 minutes.
On return from recess, both sides continue to create opportunities but failed, but the closest came on the way of Kamaldeen Suleyman in the 78th minute when he took on the defence of South Africa with goalkeeper Ronuwen Williams completely beaten but his kick missed the target narrowly.
South Africa recovered and threw in everything in search of the equalizer but the Ghanaian stood firm and maintained the lone goal lead.
Ghana would be among the ten countries that would slug it out in the play-offs.
Line Up: Jojo Wollacot, Andy Yiadom, Baba Rahman, Alexander Djiku, Daniel Amartey, Baba Iddrisu, Mubarak Wakaso, Andre Ayew, Kudu Mohamed/Daniel Kyere, Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Suleman/Richmond Boakye-Yiadom. -GNA
The Black Maidens have departed Accra for Dakar, Senegal, ahead of their crucial final qualifying round first-leg clash for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
A 24-player squad, accompanied by the technical team and officials, left the Accra International Airport on Tuesday aboard ASKY Airlines, determinate to secure a positive result away from home.
The Black Maidens have enjoyed an impressive qualifying campaign and are now just two matches away from booking a place at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The team has intensified preparations in recent weeks, with the technical staff fine-tuning tactics and ensuring the players are in peak condition for the decisive encounter.
The team is expected to arrive in Dakar later in the day and victory over the two-legged tie will see the Black Maidens secure qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Forward Brandon Thomas-Asante said the squad’s ambition and ambition and hunger remain intact despite the 2-1 loss to Croatia, stressing the Black Stars are determined “to make a name for ourselves as a nation and to keep that legacy going” heading into the Round of 32.
Speaking after Saturday’s Group L finale at Lincoln Financial Field, the Coventry City player said Ghana’s World Cup mission goes beyond individual goals.
“Yes, I think coming into the World Cup, there’s a lot of ambition, a lot of hopes and what we want to do as a collective on an individual basis,” he said. “And I think it all encompasses within each other that we want to be successful.”
Despite finishing third in the group with 4 points, Ghana progressed to face Colombia on July 4 in Kansas City. The player pointed to belief inside the camp.
“We’re glad that when we look around the dressing room, we see a lot of talent, a lot of ability and a lot of hunger to go and to make a name for ourselves as a nation and to keep that legacy going.”
The comments echo Carlos Queiroz’s message that “qualification is not a destination” and that the “real World Championship starts now.” Ghana reached the knockout stage after a win over Panama, a draw with England, and the narrow defeat to Croatia.
“We’re trying to do our best, to give our best and every game we are trying to make the nation proud,” Derrick Luckassen said earlier. “On to the next game, we have to keep on going.”
Ghana now prepare for Group K winners Colombia, who topped their group unbeaten with 7 points.
