SAN FRANCISCO, November 12, (THEWILL) – Swansea City forward Andre Ayew scored a goal in both halves to help Ghana beat Sudan 2-0 in Round three of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on Thursday. The Ghanaian attacker’s double earned all three points for the hosts at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, consolidating their spot at the top of Group C.
Although the Black Stars were without the esteemed services of injured Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, Ajax Amsterdam ace Mohammed Kudus and China-based Mubarak Wakaso, Ghanaian coach Charles Kwabla Akonnor picked Yeni Malatyaspor man Afriyie Acquah and Amiens Emmanuel Lomotey as a midfielder double-pivot.
Asante Kotoko defender Christopher Nettey was deployed at right-back while the Ayew brothers Andre and Jordan led the attack.
It was Andre who made Ghana’s first attempt at goal in the 14th minute. Tariqe Fosu sent a through-ball to the attacker who hit a first time shot across the face of goal in search of a final connection. Sudan’s defence, did well to hold off the onrushing Jordan from applying the final touch.
There was no stopping Andre in the 19th minute, though when he put the Black Stars ahead. He effortlessly curled a sweet free-kick from just outside the box over the wall into the net.
The visitors had their first chance three minutes later. Mohamed Abdel-Rahman was played through on goal but the Algeria-based striker’s final shot went just wide.
Ghana could have doubled their lead in the 29th minute but Samuel Owusu, who was neatly set up by Fosu, was unable to beat Ali Abdullah in goal for Sudan. Alexander Djiku also went close for the hosts with a looping header from Jordan’s free-kick. But Abdullah showed sharp reflexes and tipped the effort over the bar.
In the 37th minute, Sudan’s Abdel-Rahman went on a blistering run into the Ghana area before going down under the challenge of Lomotey. However, Senegalese referee Maguette N’Diaye, waved for play to continue, to the obvious displeasure of Sudan coach Hubert Velud.
In the extra minutes of the first 45, Ghana seemed to have scored a second when Andre again rose highest to head a cross into the net. This time the referee ruled out the goal for a foul on the goalkeeper.
In the second period, Sudan came closest to a leveller in the 59th minute. The ever-probing Abdel-Rahman beat Ghana keeper Richard Ofori to Muhammad Al-Rashid’s cross, heading it in the direction of the goal but the ball missed the net by inches.
With nine minutes left, Andre registered his second to assure the Black Stars of victory. Driving the ball from the right into the box and waltzing past two opponents, the Swansea man placed a curler beyond goalkeeper Abdullah.
The result means Ghana remain top of the group with maximum nine points from the three matches played so far and have put distance between them and others as there is now six points between the Black Stars and Bayana Bayana of South Africa who are second in the group and have just three points, but with a game in hand.
Ghana and Sudan are set for an immediate reverse fixture in Round four on Tuesday, November 17 with the latter hosting. Ghana could book their qualification for the next AFCON should they beat Sudan in that return fixture.
