Ghana begin 2022 world cup qualifiers

The Black Stars secured three points in the opening fixture of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers after beating Ethiopia 1-0 at the Cape Coast stadium last Friday night.

China based Mubarak Wakaso’s first half strike gave Ghana all the spoils in the Group G encounter.

Ghana Coach Akonnor named Jeffrey Schlupp and Kamal Deen Suleymana in a line-up that also included Captain Andre Ayew, Crystal Palace ace Jordan Ayew, Leicester City’s Daniel Amartey and Baba Abdul Rahman.

Germany-born Daniel-Kofi Kyereh was given a 28th minute debut following an injury to Jeffrey Schlupp due to an ankle injury.

Wakaso got the breakthrough for Ghana ten minutes from the break as his powerful shot from outside the box beat Ethiopia goalkeeper Teklemarian Shanko.

Shanko failed to save the strike as the ball passed through his legs to give Ghana a first half lead.

The goal was the highlight of the first half as the two teams headed back into the locker room with Ghana having a slim lead.

Despite the victory at the end of the game, the style of play did not sit well with spectators and journalists who witnessed the game.

Head coach of the team, Charles Kwablan Akonnor has however defended the style of play saying all though his team did not play exciting football as expected by fans; he is delighted to have come away with a win against Ethiopia.

“We knew our opponents very well. We know they are a team that possesses the ball a lot and we are aware of their threats. Yes, I know we were not as exciting as the fans would want but they also possessed the ball without being a danger to us. They posed no threat to us during the game” Akonnor started.

“What was important was that anytime we had the chance to attack, we did that. Even though we were not clinical enough to score more goals” he added.

“We were not worried when they possessed the ball but what we were concerned about was our inability to be clinical upfront. We also lost possession a few times in the midfield as well but the most important thing is that we won and we have the three points and that is all that matters”

Ghana will next take on the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a second world cup qualifier today, September 6, 2021.