2023 AFCON Qualifiers: Kudus shine, Semenyo dazzles, Nuamah scores first Black Stars goal as Ghana beat Central African Republic

Ghana’s Black Stars beat the Central African Republic in their final game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Thursday evening at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

West Ham United FC player Kudus Mohammed dazzled for the Stars throughout the game and gave the fans glimpses of what he brings to the team anytime on the ball.

Ernest Nuamah and Antoine Semenyo also shone brightly for Ghana when they came from the bench to help Ghana come from behind to pick a hard fought win over the minnows.

Central African Republic gave Ghana a very tough competition throughout the game and were the better side for most part of the first 45 minutes of the match.

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The visitors took a deserving lead halfway through the opening 45 minutes of the match when Louis Mafouta dribbled Ghana’s goalie Lawrence Ati-Zigi to make it 1-0 after 25 minutes.

Before the goal, both teams had created very few chances and there were no sign of the visitors coming up with the opener though they had better possession but with no threat upfront.

Indecision on the part of Ghana’s players gave the fans a cause to worry with no clear cut opportunities infront of goal for most part of the first 45 minutes of the match.

Nonetheless, Ghana got back into the game just before the end of the first half through a direct free-kick goal on the 44th minute mark when Osman Bukari was brought down on the edge of the box.

English Premier League side West Ham United FC player and star boy of Ghana Kudus Mohammed found the back of the net with an exquisite strike to level the game before the end of the first 45 minutes of the match.

In the second half of the match, coach Chris Hughton brought on Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo to replace Bukari and Inaki Williams with 22 minutes of the match to go.

Ghana, after the substitution came into the game very well and started competing with the well-built away players who were using their physique to their advantage.

Central African Republic looked like a team that could score the second goal before Ghana’s substitution but Semenyo and Nuamah’s presence changed the fortune of the game.

Mohammed Kudus remained a delight to watch throughout the game alongside a masterpiece from Alidu Seidu at right back giving the fans something to cheer about.

Semenyo late in the game robbed the defender of the away team and ran straight into the goal area before laying a nice pass out to Nuamah on the far side to score the winning goal for Ghana on the 87th minute mark.

Semenyo later hit the post after a nice give and between him and Nuamah with the game ending 2-1 to Ghana.