THE BLACK Stars yesterday fought from a goal down to defeat visiting Central African Republic 2-1 to top Group E and book a place in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire next year.
Despite enjoying massive home support from the expectant spectators who filled the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, the visitors stunned the home side with the opener.
Louis Mafouta outwitted advancing Lawrence Atizigi in the Ghana post and planted home for the opener at the early stages.
Thereafter, the Stars laboured until three minutes before the break to snatch the equaliser, courtesy a perfect free kick just after the box from West Ham new boy Mohammad Kudus.
After the break, the Stars introduced Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo and Jonathan Mensah to replace Osman Bukari, Inaki Williams and Baba Rahman.
The changes paid off as the home team started to dictate the pace, especially from midfield, as they searched for the match winner.
Ghana’s efforts for another goal eventually paid off in the 87th minute as Ernest Nuamah had the easiest task by tapping him from close range after Semenyo had ghosted past the Central African Republic defenders.
Ghana then pushed more men forward in search for more goals. At the latter stages of the game, Nuamah also provided a decent pass to Semenyo, who was on fire, to score a goal, but his shot hit the post.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi