2021 AFCON qualifiers: Sao Tome and Principe 0-1 Ghana, more about the game
Coming into today’s game against Sao Tome and Principe, Ghana had beaten South Africa in their first AFCON qualifier last Thursday in Cape Coast.
A win for Ghana would see Akwasi Appiah’s side claiming second successive victories within a space of four days as Ghana would also top group C, haven seen group leaders Sudan fallen in their second game to South Africa Yesterday.
Akwasi Appiah maintained almost his eleven that defeated Bafana Bafana four days ago in Ghana, with the only change of Samuel Owusu coming in for Sassuolo midfielder Alfred Duncan in midfield.
The game started on a slow note but it was the away side that made intentions clear as Stars keeper Richard Ofori reacted the quickest the save Ghana on the 7’ minute after an intended through pass has entered Ghana box.
Afterwards, the game was all dominated by the Black Stars of Ghana as they nearly broke the deadlock 11 minutes inside the first half after Sao Tome goal keeper had mistakenly passed the ball to Jordan in Sao Tome’s own half, Jordan passed the ball back to Samuel Owusu at the right edge of the box, but his intended shot found Emmanuel Boateng in an offside position.
Ghana continued to push for the opener as a nicely worked corner between Thomas Partey and Andre Ayew saw Partey’s resultant shot outside the box saved by Sao Tome on the 15’ minute.
Emmanuel Boateng could have opened the score for Ghana on the 17’ minute but he was easily dispossessed by his marker in the box after Boateng was sent through by Jordan Ayew.
Impressive Ghana launched an attack on the 21’ minute but Andre Ayew’s header from Gideon Mensah’s cross went over the cross bar.
Despite Ghana’s eye-catching display in the first 30 minutes of the game- 78% of ball possession against 22%, the home side looked very resolute in defense only waiting to catch Ghana on the counter-breaks. Neither the home side none pre-game favorites Ghana broke the deadlock in the first half.
Right to the start of the second half, Partey rose above the defense of Sao Tome to head but the Atletico Madrid midfielder header went above the cross bar for a goal kick.
Five minutes into the second half, Ghana took the lead through Jordan Ayew, calmly slotting in a penalty after Emmanuel Boateng had been brought down by Sao Tome keeper in the 6 yard box.
Mohammed Kudus who grabbed Ghana second goal against South Africa four days ago replaced Emmanuel Boateng on the 64’ minute mark before Samuel Owusu made way Antwi Adjei on the 72’ minutes.
Ghana, particularly, Antwi Adjei and Kudus Mohammed continued to ask questions around Sao Tome penalty box for the remaining of the second half, but most of their attacks lacked the cutting edge to give Ghana the second goal.
Sao Tome despite having 20% possession in the entire game could boost of their compact midfield closing down spaces in the center of the pitch to ensure Ghana wouldn’t feel comfortable in midfield till the end of the game.
Ghana now lead group C with 6 points from two games, followed by Sudan and South Africa who both have 4 points each in the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.
