While three players made their debuts, a number of the old hands racked up more caps.
Partey all night
Thomas Partey earned his 25th cap for the Black Stars on Thursday night against South Africa and marked it with his ninth international goal.
Having been in sparkling form for Atletico Madrid this season he was expected to light up the Cape Coast Stadium as well.
And in a first-half largely devoid of quality, Partey stepped up.
The Black Stars were the first to go close in the game as Partey’s free-kick from the left was eventually saved by South Africa goalie Ronwen Williams.
The ball moved from one end to the other in the first half as both sides sought a way to get an early goal.
Both teams, however, kept misplacing their passes in a very low-quality start to the game.
Thomas Partey then picked out Andre Ayew on the right, who cut in and fired in a shot but it was heading well off target before being cleared by the South African defence.
The Black Stars took the lead after 35 minutes as Jordan Ayew dropped deep to receive the ball in midfield and passed to Partey whose shot was deflected past goalkeeper Williams and into the net.
Debut feeling
Three players made their debut for the Black Stars at the Cape Coast Stadium, Iddrisu Baba, Gideon Mensah and Mohammed Kudus.
While all three impressed, one made it absolutely count.
Having replaced Alfred Duncan, 19-year-old debutant Kudus picked up the ball in midfield and strode forward.
With the South African defence backing off, he cut onto his right foot and fired a great finish into the top corner.
Talk about a first impression!
85 not out
Captain Andre Ayew was the most capped Black Stars player on the field last night.
His 85 appearances eclipsed everyone on the pitch and although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, he was important to the Stars’ win.
Before making his first appearance for the Black Stars against Senegal in 2007, Ayew had been eligible to play for the French national team.
He has gone on to appear at six AFCON tournaments and two World Cups for Ghana and has scored 15 goals.
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