By Dennis Osei Gyamfi,GNA
Accra, March 23, GNA - Caleb Ansah Ekuban got off to a perfect start to his national team career as his solitary goal put the Black Stars on top of Group F the African Cup Of Nations (AFCON) qualifier for Egypt.
The Trabzonspor striker scored his first international goal against Harambees Stars of Kenya just under 20 minutes to the start of his international career at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 23.
Black Stars started the game with so much confidence and intent. With the fans behind them and playing infront of the fans at Accra Sports Stadium for the first time in five year there was every reason for the team to produce a top level performance.
Newscastle midfielder, Christian Astu gave the Kenyans a taste of what to expect in 90 minutes from the left side of attack when he dummied his marker Eric Ouma Otieno to send in a teasing cross which was intercepted by the Kenyan defence. The Kenyan defence protected by their experienced skipper Victor Wayama, was strong enough to put the host attacking threat at bay. The Harambee Stars made it difficult for the Ghanaians to break through with the Stars forced to string passes in the midfield and wide areas with no end action.
The Harambee Stars had however had enough of the toothless play form the host taking them by a surprise in the 8th minute when right back Philemon Otieno hit hard a dangerous cross inside the 18 yard box from an overlapping run forcing Ghanaian goalkeeper, Richard Ofori to make his first save of the game.
Kwesi Appiah's men realised how dangerous their opponents could be and reacted squarely. The host's most dangerous man on the day, Christian Atsu floated in another good cross from the left side off attack but was again timely intercepted by Kenyan goalie Allan Wetende who got hurt from a collision with Ghanaian Skipper in the process.
Andre Dede Ayew unfortunately got his goal in the 33rd minute disallowed following a scramble in the penalty area with the Harambees goalie. Dede Ayew's initial header wa parried by the goalkeeper with an ensuing reaction inside the box from both teams with the Ghanaian skipper subsequently colliding with the goalkeeper before the ball went into the net. Joshua Bondo, the official from Botswana called for a free kick instead.
The Black Stars continued to put pressure on their counterpart which saw the Ghanaians creating few chances in the process as the most scary chance towards the end of first half fell to striker Emmanuel Boateng who forced a save from Kenyan goalie Wetende.
Nothing really changed after recess as the host fans continued to grow impatient with their team's lack of purpose at the third half of the pitch.
Wetende was however called into action few times in the second half but all saves passed for nothing but routine saves.
However, a blunder by defender John Boye in the 63rd minute almost cost the Stars when substitute Mutamba Pistone Vunyoli robbed him off the ball. Vunyoli was clear on goal but a miskick from him allowed the on rushing Richard Ofori to pick the ball.
The home fans seemed more frustrated as the boring play of their team was compounded by the frustration of the referee who denied their team of some clear infringements.
But the long wait of the fans for a goal ended in the 82nd minute when second half substitute Caleb Ekuban latched onto a long searching ball from deep in the midfield produced a carpet shot to the bottom left corner of the goalpost with goalie Witende having no antidote to it.
The Accra Sports Stadium erupted to the goal confirming everything the fans had waited for in the night.
The results means the Black Stars will top Group F as leaders and their opponents, Kenya picking up the second position in the group.
GNA
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