Ghana produced a spirited performance to defeat Ethiopia by 2-0 at the Hawassa International stadium on Sunday afternoon and striker Jordan Ayew- returning to the national team selection for the first time in over a year – scored a first half brace but the Ethiopians were the better side of the second period.
It was the 13th and 14th international goals in 47 appearances for the former Olympique de Marseille striker.
The victory takes Kwesi Appiah’s side to second position in Group F on six points but Kenya still leads the group with seven points.
The Harambee Stars were meant to play Sierra Leone on Sunday but CAF postponed the match subjecting the group to further confusion.
The Blacks Stars thrashed the Ethiopians by 5-0 in the previous corresponding fixture at the Babayara sports stadium on 11 June 2017 and confirmed their dominance over the Walia ibex on Sunday with another victory.
Crystal Palace striker Jordan put Ghana ahead with his first big chance of the game only after three minutes with a clever finish. Harrison Afful assisted the striker to score.
The Black Stars dominated the first half with Jordan and striking partner Emmanuel Boateng combining well up front to cause many problems to the home team.
The Levante striker is yet to score this season for the La Liga side but had a very good game.
In the 22nd minute captain Andre Ayew and Boateng combined to create Ghana’s second goal.
Andre measured a clever pass across the face of the Ethiopian defence as Boateng intelligently picked it in the box but was brought down by goalkeeper Abel Mamo and South African referee Victor Gomes correctly awarded a penalty.
Jordan stepped forward to register his name on the score sheet again sending Mamo the wrong way.
The Ethiopians threatened a comeback with an improved performance in a more even second period but lacked efficacy up front to breach the Ghanaian defence well marshalled by Kassim Nuhu and John Boye.
The Walia ibex possessed the ball better but always lacked the cutting edge in attack and Kwesi Appiah will not be proud by the second half performance of his team.
In the 53rd minute the Ghana defence came under big pressure from the home side – but Boye cleared the danger.
Kwesi Appiah brought on Empoli midfielder Afriyie Acquah for Partey in the 58th minute, Nana Ampomah for Christian Atsu in the 72nd and Jonathan Mensah for double hero Jordan in the 86th as Ghana held on to win the game.
Ghana starting line-up:
GK : Richard Ofori
Defence: Harrison Afful, Lumor Agbeyenu, Kasim Nuhu, John Boye
Midfield: Mubarak Wakaso, Christian Atsu, Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey
Attack: Jordan Ayew, Emmanuel Boateng
Unused subs : Asamoah Gyan, Majeed Waris, Lawrence Ati Zigi, Andy Yiadom, Majeed Ashimeru.
