Ghana, Angola and Libya got their 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign underway in style after recording home victories in their respective first opening group matches on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
The Black Stars of Ghana overcame a stubborn Madagascan defense in the second half of the game to beat the Southern African nation 3-0 at the Cape Coast on Wednesday night.
AS Roma sensation, Felix Afena-Gyan, scored one and set up another to help the Black Stars record their first win in 7 games in the Group E opener in the coastal city.
Talented playmaker, Mohammed Kudus, broke the deadlock on the 52nd minute with a simple tap-in from Felix Afena-Gyan before the later doubled the lead a few moments later.
Substitute, Osman Bukari, wrapped up the victory after using his pace to outwit his marker before rounding up goalkeeper Nina Razakirina for the emphatic win.
The home side could have won the game by a wider margin as Kudus scored in the 68th minute but was flagged offside by the match official.
Barren first 45 minutes at Cape Coast
The Black Stars completely dominated the opening exchanges with youngsters, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Felix Afena-Gyan, missing good goal scoring opportunities in the first half of the game. Sporting Lisbon’s prodigy, Issahaku, fired over the bar after making light work of two defenders before setting up Afena-Gyan nicely for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper but he shot wide.
Goalkeeper, Razakirina produced an outstanding save in the 35th minute to deny Black Stars striker, Jordan Ayew, from scoring with a rasping strike from 45 yards.
Ghana returned from the break piling up more pressure on the visitors as Afena-Gyan managed to exploit the crack in the visitors’ defense before cutting back for Kudus who tapped-in from close range.
The AS Roma attacker made it 2-0 two minutes later after poking it in with the outside of his left foot from inside the box before Bukari’s effort, with four minutes left, sealed the victory for the four time African champions.
The result means Ghana go top of Group E, even though Angola defeated Central African Republic in the group’s other game earlier in the day.
Ghana is equal at the top of the group with Angola on three points but the Black Stars top the group with a better goal difference.
Spectacular second-half comeback for Angola
Meanwhile, Angola staged a spectacular second-half comeback to claim a deserving 2-1 victory over Central African Republic in the other Group E game played on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
The Palancas Negras of Angola, who are vying for a place in next year’s tournament, scored twice in five minutes in the second half to win the game 2-1 at the Estadio 11 de Novembro in Luanda to send their fans into raptures.
The Black Stars will travel to play the Central African Republic in Luanda on Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 13:00 hrs GMT while Madagascar hosts Angola in the group’s other game later on the same at 16:00 hrs GMT.
Elsewhere, the Mediterranean Knights of Libya opened their 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign by pipping Botswana 1-0 in the opening Group J match on Wednesday.
The result means Libya leads Group J with the vital home win as Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea play in the other group game today, Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 19:00 hrs GMT. Earlier today at 16:00 hrs GMT, Mozambique will lock horns with Rwanda in Group L. The rest of the qualifiers continue tomorrow.
