Black Stars seal AFCON qualification with 2-1 victory over CAR
By Daniel ODURO, Accra
The Black Stars of Ghana finished top of their Group to book their qualification to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Ivory Coast.
Ghana had to rally back from a goal down after Central African Republic struck first in the first half.
Ghana in need of at least a draw managed their jitters to secure the all-important victory in Kumasi.
Mohammed Kudus got the Stars back into the game when he converted a sublime free-kick on the edge of the CAR penalty box to level the score in the second half.
In the dying embers of the game, substitute Ernest Appiah Nuamah combined well with Antoine Semenyo to score the winning goal for the Black Stars.
Ghana finished Group E with 12 points from six games.
Angola picked up the second spot in Group E behind Ghana and also booked their place in the AFCON next year.
Ghana will now prepare for the tournament proper and will hope they can end the country’s trophy drought which has lasted for four decades now.
Black Stars Starting Line-up: Ati-Zigi (GK), Alidu Seidu, Alexander Djiku, Baba Rahman (Gideon Mensah), Joseph Aidoo, Salis Samed, Elisha Owusu Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Osman Bukari (Ernest Nuamah), Inaki Williams(Antoine Semenyo).
