A goal in either half from captain Andre Ayew helped Ghana to a 2-0 victory over Sudan in their Group C match-day three home game in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying Thursday.
Celebrating a record-equaling 91st cap, the skipper netted in the 18th and 80th minutes to grant coach Charles Akonnor a first competitive win.
Ayew, now on 91 caps is level with former Stars right-back John Pantsil.
Ghana began the game with the trademark ball possession game plan, searching for spaces in the Sudanese defence.
Hubert Velud’s side gave a good defensive account of themselves till the 18th minute.
The Black Stars were awarded a free-kick after Samuel Owusu was fouled just in front of the 18-yard box.
Dede elected himself and fired a brilliantly curled strike over the Sudanese wall. What a way to celebrate your 91st cap.
Sudan then came close through danger man Mohammed Abdel Rahman, but John Boye stopped him on a one on one situation before he threatened again with an effort inches wide.
Ghana nearly doubled the lead at the half-hour mark but Samuel Owusu failed to connect Tariqe Fosu’s pass as he was denied by Sudan goalie Ali Abdallah.
Sudan had a penalty claim turned down when forward Abdel Rahman was tackled by John Boye, leading to drama on the touchline as coach Herbert Velud had an altercation with the fourth referee.
Velud received a yellow card afterwards.
Just before half time, Andre Ayew had a goal ruled out by Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye.
Halftime 1-0 for Ghana.
After the break, Sudan looked better early on in the game with their midfield play. But upfront, Abdel Rahman was struggling to beat Richard Ofori.
The Sudan forward came close to getting the leveller but his low header rolled out slowly leaving goalkeeper Ofori.
Ghana needed to react by controlling the game and coach Akonnor made a couple of changes by bringing on Caleb Ekuban for Samuel Owusu and Nicholas Opoku for Christopher Nettey
The Stars then looked better and threatened for their second goal.
With ten minutes left, Ayew then produced magic after taking on two defenders before unleashing a powerful strike to make it 2-0.
Ghana has nine points after three games in a group that has Sudan, South Africa and African minnows Sao Tome and Principe.
The team will travel to Omdurman for the second leg on November 17.
