Ghana edged out Burkina Faso 5-4 on penalties to qualify to the semi finals of the 2019 WAFU Championship.

Skipper of the sides Shafiu Mumuni cancelled out Ilias Tiendrebeogo’s opener to force the game into penalty shootout.

Maxwell Konadu made three changes to the side that started against Gambia four days ago, starting  Habibu Mohammed, Justice Blay and Augustine Okrah in the place of Issaka Mohammed, Benjamin Afutu and Appiah McCarthy.

Burkina Faso took an early lead in the game through Ilias Tiendrebeogo, the strike placed home from a beautiful cross to give his side the lead just 4minute into the game.

However, Shafiwu Mumuni equalised for Ghana on the stroke of the half time after a fine cross from Joseph Esso.

The second half had to be a barren one as both teams couldn’t score. As Ghana were dominating possessions, Burkina Faso defended to take Ghana on the break – a tactics they deployed in Kumasi in the CHAN qualifies.

Augustine Okrah tried three shots within the scope of 10 minutes as the attacking midfielder fires a thunderbolt on the 51st, 60th and the 61st minute.

There was no goal in the second half as the proceedings ended with 1-1 all. Penalty shootouts was the next mechanism to use before a team could emerge in the semis.

In the penalties, team Ghana effected 6 penalties and scored 5 whilst Burkina Faso played 6 and scored 4.

Augustine Okrah effected and scored the first kick for Ghana whilst Mustapha Ouadrago missed for Burkina. Also, Patrick Yeboah scored the 6th and the last kick for Ghana with Lingaani missing it from the spot for the local stallions.

The Black Stars B thus qualifies to the semi final stage of the competition after winning 5-4 on penalties. Team Ghana play host Senegal in their next encounter.

By: Fareed Mohammed Awal.