Ghana defeat Algeria to qualify for the U-23 AFCON in Morocco
The Black Meteors beat Algeria 1-0 in the second leg of their African cup of Nations qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
The result secures their place in the 2023 U-23 African Cup of Ntions scheduled to kick off on the 23rd of June 2023 in Morocco.
The game started with Ghana on beete4 side as they hit the crossbar as early as the sixth minute. Ghana’s early pressure paid off six minutes later when Ernest Nuamah’s cross was headed in by Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.
Ghana continued to threaten creating more chances and came close again in the 26th minute through an Issahaku free kick. Algeria grew into the game and with Ghana’s goalkeeper having to be at his best to stop the North African’s from leveling the game before half time.
The second half saw Algeria fighting to draw level which required Ghana’s defense to be at their best. Ghana created opportunities of their own but both teams lacked in the finishing department
With this victory, Ghana qualifies 2-1 on aggregate and will head to Morocco later this year for the youth championship.
The U-23 AFCON tournament serves as a pathway to the Olympic Games, which is the Black Meteors’ ultimate goal as they dream of playing in Paris 2024.
The team hasn’t qualified for the Olympic Games since Athens 2004, where notable players such as Stephen Appiah, Asamoah Gyan, Joseph Paintsil, and John Mensah were involved.
