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| Stars a step away from World Cup finals |
9/5/2005 |
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Stars a step away from World Cup finals
Posted: Sep 04 2005
After years of dominance and success in youth football, Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars have finally etched their name into soccer’s history books as one of Africa’s five likely participants for next year’s world cup.
Ghana beat the Uganda’s Cranes 2-0 Sunday afternoon to book a place at the world cup but would have to pick a point to qualify in their last game against Cape Verde.
The only team who can catch the Black Stars are DR Congo''s Simbas.
Ghana and DR Congo have a matched head-to-head record, after their two fixtures ended in draws, so should Ghana lose in Cape Verde and DR Congo win in South Africa next month, the group would be decided by goal difference.
The Black Stars still have a game to go in the qualifying series away to Cape Verde but top group II with 18 points and are ahead of South Africa on the new CAF/FIFA head-to-head rule.
South Africa’s hopes of qualification were effectively ended in Ouagadougou on Saturday after a 3-1 defeat to Burkina Faso.
New Chelsea signing, Michael Essien put the Stars ahead in the 11 minute after soaring above the Cranes defence to head in a corner kick which Uganda goalkeeper Onyango Dennis struggled to parry off his line.
The goal was greeted by a thunderous cheer from the supporters who filled the Baba Yara stadium before midday to watch the game.
Fired up for more goals and deafening cheers from supporters, Matthew Amoah completed Laryea Kingston’s mazy move and beat the Ugandan goalkeeper to score Ghana’s second goal in the 16 minute.
Ghana effected its first substitution in the 38th minute with lead striker, Joe Tex Frimpong going off for Isaac Boakye.
Back from recess, the tempo of the Ghanaian game slowed down as the Cranes upped their play but couldn’t get behind the Black Stars’ central defence.
The Stars’ coach Ratomir Dujkovic brought on Hamza Mohammed for Laryea Kingston as they Cranes continued to push men forward in search for a goal.
The Stars were forced to make another substitution because of injury with Michael Essien going off for Abubakar Yahuza.
Supporters at the stadium moved onto the field to carry their heroes after the final whistle.
DR Congo beat Cape Verde 2-1 in Kinshasa in the other group match.
Black Stars Line up: Sammy Adjei, John Painstil, Emmanuel Pappoe, John Mensah, Issa Ahmed, Laryea Kingston/Hama Mohammed, Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien/Abubakar Yahuza, Dan Edusei, Matthew Amoah, Joe Tex Frimpong/Isaac Boakye
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