Ghana, a step closer to the Qatar 2022 World Cup after a narrow win over South Africa
Ghana kept alive their hopes of reaching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after beating South Africa by a lone goal to topple Bafana Bafana in Group G and qualify for the play-off as Group G winners.
Andre Ayew scored the only goal in the crunch tie at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday evening to send the Black Stars to the next round of the qualifiers.
The Al Sadd forward, capping his 100th match for the Black Stars, slotted calmly from the spot after Daniel Amartey was fouled in the penalty box in the first half through a corner kick.
When they lost Kudus Mohammed in the early stages due to injury, they didn’t panic. They pressured the South Africans, winning many free kicks and corner kicks, one that resulted in the penalty.
Daniel Kofi Kyereh’s delivery wasn’t properly dealt with by the South Africans and Amartey was impeded just when he was about to attack the ball.
Ayew stepped up and expertly sent goalkeeper Williams the wrong way to give Ghana the all but important lead after 33 minutes of nerve-wracking action.
South Africa quickly changed their approach and started attacking but the Black Stars managed to end the half without conceding.
Bafana Bafana came into the second half strongly after trying several long balls which barely troubled center backs Daniel Amartey and Alexander Djiku.
Jojo Wollacott was free on duty as Percy Tau and co couldn’t attack for the South Africans.
In attack, Jordan was dominant, winning free-kicks in key areas with Kamaldeen Sulemana also decent and creating a couple of chances.
Coach Milovan Rajevac brought on Richmond Boakye-Yiadom late on but the game was won already as Ghana managed the last 10 minutes to secure the win.
South African players slumped on the pitch, in tears after the final whistle while Ghanaians celebrated with Milovan Rajevac joining his players to celebrate the important victory.
The final group standings meant Ghana and South Africa were tied on the same points but Ghana qualifies ahead of them as a result of scoring more goals.
Ghana join Senegal, Morocco, Mali, Egypt and the D.R Congo in the play-offs with four more slots yet to be decided.
The ceremony for the playoffs draw will be in December as the last round of matches are decided and will be played in March 2022.
