2022 CHAN qualifiers: Ghana humble Benin in first leg clash
The Black Galaxies of Ghana beat the Young Squirrels of Benin 3-0 at the Cape Coast on Sunday in the 2022 Championship of African Nations penultimate qualifying round first leg.
The local Black Stars went into the game with all their arsenal after a streak of wins in their preparatory matches prior to the game.
With home support, Ghana came close to getting the opening goal in the 15th minute after Jonah Attuquaye set up Daniel Afriyie Barnieh whose brilliant effort was superbly saved by goalkeeper Adebiyi Serge Obassa.
Ten minutes mater, the Black Galaxies were rewarded after Afriyie Barnieh scored from the spot to put them ahead after Beninese defender blocked an attempt from Evans Osei-Wusu with his hand inside the box which resulted in a penalty for Ghana.
Ghana kept the momentum as the first half ended 1-0.
Back frk recess, the lead was doubled four minutes into the second with central defender Mohammed Alhassan getting on the scoresheet after connecting to a corner kick.
Benin goalkeeper Serge Obassa made another good save to deny Ghana a third goal as Osei-Wusu’s effort from close range was parried away to corner.
The Black Galaxies needed more cushion ahead of the second leg and were finally rewarded with a sumptuous strike by captain Gladson Awako as his curled shot from inside the box beat goalkeeper Serge Obassa after an incisive pass from Umar Bashiru.
In the post-match conference, head coach Annor Walker made his happiness known to all.
“[I am] more than a happy man today because it’s a match that I was determined [to win] and got myself ready to win. I wanted four goals but God gave me three and I have accepted it,” he said.
Ghana have not played in the African Nations Championship since 2014 will be hoping to make a return as the second leg is scheduled for Saturday, July 30 in Porto-Novo, with the winner of the tie facing Nigeria in the final round.
