The Black Stars of Ghana continued their impressive run to Gabon 2017 with 3-1 victory over Mozambique on Thursday afternoon at the Accra Sports Stadium.
An early goal from Frank Acheampong in the first half, John Boye’s fortuitous header, and Jordan Ayew’s volley in the second half was enough to make it three out of three for the four times African champions in their race to Gabon 2017.
Mozambique pulled one back through substitute Apson Manjete, but it was not enough to earn the Mambas a favourable result for the second encounter in Maputo next Sunday.
Ghana began the game on the front foot, exerting their presence. Wakaso, who was the architect with his accurate passes, found Frank Acheampong on the right flank with a swift through ball.
The Anderlecht winger made no mistake when he raced towards the goalkeeper one-on-one, placing the ball beyond his reach.
The Mambas compacted the midfield, limiting the spaces available for the Black Stars to exploit and held on to slim defeat into the dressing room for recess.
Acheampong was taken off for Jeffrey Schlupp who passed a late fitness test. The Black Stars began the second half more stronger and pinned Mozambique to the wall. The chances for the Stars’ began flowing but the back line was very compact for Ghana to reach to the goal mouth.
However, a well floated ball from a corner kick by Christian Atsu, who had a good day, was difficult for the Mambas to defend. The keeper failed to get first control on the ball, and his defenders couldn’t either. An attempted clearance was directed at the forehead of John Boye who was following up after the melee.
The ball went into the net, and Ghana were two up. Mozambique appealed, but it was not headed to by the referee.
Two minutes later, Jordan Ayew volleyed home the final nail on the coffin after he was sent one-on-one by Harrison Afful. The goalkeeper poorly timed the ball and raced out, but he was beaten by the Aston Villa striker to it.
Ghana adopted control the game attitude, but Mozambique took advantage of that and pounced on them to earn a consolation through substitute Manjate.
Influential midfielder Mubarak Wakaso could not complete the game, and was replaced by Emmanuel Agyemang Badu.
Pressure was mounted on Ghana, but they remained resolute and earned their third successive win in the upcoming AFCON series.
Match Report: Ghana 3-1 Mozambique
