Match Report: Ghana 1-0 South Africa, more about the game as Andre Ayew penalty sends Black Stars to play-off in African FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Ghana have qualified to the play-off of the 2021 African World Cup qualifiers joining five other nations so far to reach that feat after last group game against South African in Cape Coast.
Al Sadd forward Andre Ayew converted a spot kick in the first half to break South Africa’s unbeaten run in the qualifiers.
With drawing against Ethiopia last Thursday and South Africa beating Zimbabwe by a lone goal, the Black Stars lagged behind Bafana Bafana on the table with only a win for Ghana the only outcome to take them through to the next round of the African World Cup qualifiers.
South Africa had their destiny in their own hands as fighting for a draw would have taken them to the last round of qualifiers but failed to contain aggressive Ghana in Cape Coast on Sunday night.
The West Africa side never boosted with return of Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey who missed their draw against Ethiopia at the Orlando Stadium due to injury. The midfielder who got Ghana’s lone goal against Zimbabwe last month missed out in today’s clash against South Africa after failing to recover from his injury.
However, there was a boost in midfield for Ghana with Mubarak Wakaso who came in a s second half substitute replacing Richmond Boakye Yiadom in Milovan Rajevac’s starting XI tonight.
South Africa boss Hugo Bross who guided Cameroon to AFCON glory in 2017 was desperate to keep his Word Cup dreams alive, naming a strong side to face the four-time African Cup of Nations champions.
The likes of Williams, Xulu, Mobbie, Tau, Mokoena, Brooks, Hlongwane and Letsoalo started for South African in Cape Coast. And they started the game keeping their composure despite the home fans standing against them right from blast of the whistle.
It was only 8’ minutes when Andre Ayew’s cross that was cleared by South Africa’s defense was fired back at goal by Baba Iddrissu but the ball missed the posts by considerable margin. Before that Letsoalo had got the better of Ghana’s defense after running through but Joseph Wollacott pulled impressive save to keep Ghana’s hopes alive.
Kudus Mohammed went down complaining of injury and that seems to be a true case after been stretchered off the and Milo replaced the Ajax man with St. Pauli forward Daniel Kyereh. What a worry that was for Ghana as Kudus appears important source of creativity and goal.
A moment later, Jordan Ayew broke on attack on the right flank with Mashego challenging the Crystal Palace forward but the South Africa defender went down in the process seeing Jordan entered the box but his shot at goal beat the posts for a goal-kick.
Few minutes later, Jordan Ayew broke on attack again but this time he was brought down and the ball fell to Andre Ayew who sent Nana Kyere through on goal but the former’s shot wide over the post on the 16’ minute.
South Africa were desperate and hopeful of away goal and managed to come forward which most of their attack build ups were delight to watch but they struggled to break Ghana’s defense.
After failing to penetrate Ghana’s back line, they have potentially prevented the hosts from having fine time in their final third either. As Ghana continued to push for the first goal, they finally opened the scoring with Andre Ayew converting a penalty.
Daniel Amartey was brought down in the box for a penalty after Daniel Kyere swung in a good corner kick. The Leicester City defender went in for the ball while getting the better of his opponent in the challenge he was pulled down from the back with the referee having correct judgement of the situating pointing to the spot as Al Sadd forward and Ghana captain Ayew sending Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Williams the wrong way on 33’ minute.
Other school of thought believed the penalty decision was a soft one handing Ghana a huge advantage into the play-off.
Ghana fans cheered their players on and that goal was sending the Black Stars to the next round of the qualifiers. Prior to Ghana-South Africa clash, five teams; Mali, Egypt, Senegal, Morocco and DR Congo have qualified for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
It looked Hugo Bross tactics had been beaten but not in total possessive play from Milo’s men as the later failed to create decent chances before the end of the first half. Ghana started the second half strongly with Baba Abdul Rahman been played through on the left flank by Sulemana Kamal Deen. The Reading defender runned before he was brought down at the left edge, Jordan swung in the free kick that went straight into the hands of Williams.
Ghana were now deploying the long balls where South Africa opted for the direct approach with a long ball from their half into Ghana’s box cleared by Baba Rahman on 53’ minute.
Few minutes later, quite Sulemana Kamal Deen was fouled at the left flank but Jordan’s delivery into the box was cleared by the South Africans.
And a moment later, Jordan this time was the man fouled, he stood behind the ball at similar position Thomas Partey scored from a free in Ghana’s victory against Zimbabwe. Jordan’s effort at goal was not so powerful to beat Williams as the South African shot-stopper grabbed it straight forward.
Ghana began to experience fluidity in one-on-one situations with Kamal Deen, Jordan and Andre Ayew having their shares as Deen in particular, his cut inside from the left and shoot effort block the South African back line. South Africa launched attack after putting together swift and sweer passes in Ghana’s final third before setting on Tau but the Al Ahly winger was fouled by Mubarak Wakaso. The resultant free went into Wollacott’s arm.
Having turned end-to-end action, South Africa began to saw more of the ball at dangerous position just at the back of Ghana’s box but were dealt with the defense. South Africa few minutes later threatened with the great moment after Tau was send through on goal but Amartey appeared to track Tau which South African winger was brought down in the box with Bafana Bafana players appealing for a penalty. However, the referee overlooked the protest.
Alexander Djiku, with intent to find Baba Rhaman, misplaced a pass the ball falling the way of Dolly who played Percey Tau on goal but Amartey intervene. With few minutes to end the game and the results will send Ghana through, the Black Stars piled the men at back relying heavily on Jordan Ayew and Deen for counter attacks.
In that, Ghana threatened with some moments as one particular instance Amartey heading from Andre Ayew’s free kick but the header lacked the accurate direction into the net.
Ghana were nearing their qualification but Broos men pushed for the equalizer when it was only Eight minutes to full time. They put their passes together but still struggled to enter into Ghana’s box with most of the penetrative passes been blocked at the gate.
South African substituted Thibang Phete with attacker Fagrie Lakay while Ghana called Richmond Boakye Yiadom into action as Deen makes the way out when it was four minutes to end the game.
Ghana were temporary reduced to 10-me after Mubarak Wakaso pulling shoulder injury. South Africa threatened with attack but Amartey cleared the lines before another dangerous attack from a throw in was defended well by Baba Rahman. South African piled the pressure but Ghana defended with their hearts in the last minutes to end the game 1-0 from Andre Ayew first half penalty goal.
The victory bring Ghana on top of Group G with 13 points, +4 goal difference leveling with South Africa in same dynamics but the West African giants qualifies on goals-scored permutation. Ghana have scored a total 7 goals while South Africa scored 6 goals in the first phase of the for Qatar 2022.
Milovan Rajevac men now join Mali, Egypt, Dr. Congo, Senegal and Morocco as the six Africa countries who have qualified for the play-off, the last phase of the African World Cup qualifiers with other fixtures coming up next week to see all teams who have qualified for the final play-off stage.
Ghana XI: Joseph Wollacott, Andrew Kyereh Yiadom, Baba Abdul Rahman, Alexander Djiku, Daniel Amartey, Mubarak Wakaso, Andre Ayew ©, Baba Idrissu, Jordan Ayew, 20. Mohammed Kudus, Sulemana Kamal Deen
Subs: Richard Attah, Nurudeen Abdul Manaf, Philemon Baffuor, Issahaku Abdul Fatawu, Ismail Abdul Ganiyu, Edmund Addo, Samuel Owusu, Daniel Kyereh, Caleb Ekuban, Joseph Aidoo, Richmond Boakye Yiadom Montari Kamaheni.
South Africa: Williams, Xulu, Mobbie, De Reuck, Mashego, Phete, Mokoena, Brooks, Hlongwane, Tau, Letsoalo
Subs: Mothwa, Bvuma, Blom, Zuke, Malepe, Sithole, Mdantsane, Donn, Ngcobo, Dolly, Mmodi, Lakay
