AFCON 2023 Q: Ghana beat Central African Republic to secure qualification
The Black Stars of Ghana rallied from a goal down to seal qualification to next year’s AFCON with a 2-1 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday.
Midfielder Amos Youga robbed Salis Ahmed in midfield and lobbed the ball over the Ghanaian defence for Louis Mafouta to chase, giving Central Africa Republic the advantage they earned.
In order to set up an intriguing game, Mafouta displayed confidence by first taking a touch that defeated Ghanaian custodian Atigi Zigi and then coolly rolling it into the open set.
The Black Stars appeared sluggish and slow, but the team’s talent was evident when West Ham’s record acquisition Mohammed Kudus stepped up his game and curled a spectacular free kick past Geoffrey Lembet to tie the score.
The visitors unexpectedly dominated the second half in a similar fashion, but Chris Hughton came from behind to win the match when Antoine Semenyo and Ernest Nuamah combined for the game-winning goal.
Semenyo, a Bournemouth player, was rewarded for his all-out effort when he assisted Nuamah, a recent signing for Lyon, in scoring his first senior goal in his hometown.
