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Ghana’s Black Stars started their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with an Unconvincing win over the Walias from Ethiopia on Friday evening at the Cape Coast stadium.
The Ghanaians did not necessarily play well in the first half but managed to take a 1-0 lead heading into the first half break.
Ethiopia were the better side in the opening exchanges of the match and had the greater share of possession in the early minutes of the match.
Despite dominating the play, the visitors failed to force a save from the Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori who plays his club football in South Africa with Orlando Pirates FC.
Ghana came into the game and started creating some few chances but could not create enough clear goal scoring opportunities.
Crystal Palace player Jeffrey Schlupp was subs and replaced by FC St Pauli’s forward, Daniel Kofi Kyereh after 27 minutes due to a hamstring injury.
On the 35th minute mark of the match, China-based midfielder, Mubarak Wakaso broke the deadlock of the match with a tame long range strike to give the Black Stars the lead after a goalkeeping error.
The first half ended 1-0 to Ghana.
Unlike the first half of the match, Ghana were the first team to come out of their blocks with a quick counter attack which came to nothing due to gallant defending from the away team.
Ethiopia came close to scoring but Leicester City FC defender, Daniel Amartey came to Ghana’s rescue to save the situation.
Poland based winger Yaw Yeboah came up with an emphatic strike from long range but his effort was twatted by the Ethiopian reserved goalkeeper who also stopped Andre Ayew’s rebound on the 70th minute mark.
Both teams failed to create more chances in the last 20 minutes of the match as it ended 1-0.
Ghana go top of top of the table with three points with South Africa and Zimbabwe leveled on one point after playing to a goalless stalemate.
Ghana will travel to South Africa to play the Bafana Bafana on Monday evening in their second match.
