Ghana’s Black Stars began their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification journey with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Ethiopia at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Friday night.
Wakaso Mubarak scored the only goal of the game for the Black Stars when he unleashed a ferocious drive from 25 yards that beat Teklemariam Shanko in the Ethiopia goal in the 35th minute.
Reading defender Andy Yiadom cleverly skirted a diagonal pass to the path of Wakaso and the Shenzhen midfielder released a dipping belter that had low verocity but still managed to beat the Ethiopian keeper.
Jordan Ayew thought he had won Ghana a penalty late in the first-half when tripped inside the box but Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed who was close to the incident waved plan on.
Substitute Daniel-Kofi Kyereh played through Andre Ayew on the 67th minute mark but the forward didn’t arrive in time for the ball.
Jordan Ayew saw his free kick palmed away by Fasil Gebremichael who replaced the Shanko following his hawler that cost the Walia Ibex’s downfall.
Akonnor rang changes around the 68th minute by taking off Wakaso Mubarak and Kamaldeen Sulemana and introducing Emmanuel Lomotey and Yaw Yeboah respectively in their place.
Yaw Yeboah proved his mettle on the 72nd minute when he picked the pocket of an Ethiopian defender with an explosive burst of pace before firing a powerful shot that was blocked by the substitute goalkeeper.
Ghana had Richard Ofori to thank for saving the Black Stars late into the game when Abubeker Nasir Ahmed fired from close range.
