Ghana had to produce a clinical second-half performance to beat Madagascar 3-0 in their opening match in Group E of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers at Cape Coast Sports Stadium Wednesday night.
Launching attacks from start, the Black Stars were just profligate in a very dominant first half – failing to score from 14 goal attempts.
The Bareas’ only chance came in the 37th minute when striker Julio Donisa freely found his way into the box but his shot at goal missed the target.
Bur two quickfire goals from Kudus Mohammed and Felix Afena-Gyan early in the second half put Ghana on the way before Osman Bukari came off the bench to complete the scoring for coach Otto Addo’s men to assume leadership of Group E.
Angola had secured a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Central African Republic in the other group match played earlier on.
The Black Stars broke the deadlock on 53 minutes when a run down the right flank, a cross and a dummy by captain Andre Ayew left unmarked Kudus with the simple task of firing into the net.
AS Toma teen sensation Afena-Gyan, doubled the advantage three minutes later, flicking the ball into the net after a clever corner manoeuvre – his first international goal for Ghana in three caps.
Substitute Osman Bukari completed the rout in the 86th minute by getting ahead of a Malagasy defender and rounding goalkeeper Razakanirina Rakotohasimbola before pushing the ball into the net.
Ghana will next battle it out with Central African Republic away in Luanda on Sunday, June 4 in search of a second consecutive victory to boost possible early qualification for the Afcon 2023 finals in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire.
The Black Stars team then heads to Japan for World Cup warm-ups.
Ghana are scheduled to face Japan in the 4-nation Kirin Cup Soccer tournament in Kobe on June 10 and Chile or Tunisia in the final or third-place play-off four days later in Osaka.
