U23 AFCON Qualifiers: Ghana secure first leg advantage over Mozambique
The Black Meteors of Ghana secured a vital win in the first leg of the second round of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifications on Sunday afternoon as they recorded a deserving 2-1 triumph at the Estadio National de Zimpeto in Maputo against Mozambique.
Meteors head coach Tanko named a strong lineup which included likes of Ibrahim Danlad, Barnieh, Dominic Nsobila, Suraj Seidu and Samuel Abbey Ashie-Quaye.
Meteors dominated the first half of the game and created a couple of chances but couldn’t get any of them at the back of the net.
It was in the 63rd minute that the Meteors were rewarded after Barnieh converted a penalty kick to put Ghana in the lead.
The Mambas came very close to getting the equaliser moments later but shot stopper Danlad made a stupendous save to deny the hosts.
Meteors doubled their advantage in the 75th minute after Barnieh converted another penalty kick but the home side pulled one back in the latter stages of the game.
The second leg of the tie will take place at the Babayara Stadium in Kumasi next week as the Meteors look to advance to the next round of the competition.