adminGHANA effectively sealed their trip to Brazil when they thrashed Egypt 6-1 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi yesterday evening in their 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifier first leg play-off match. A brace by Asamoah Gyan, goals each by Majeed Waris, Sulley Muntari, Christian Atsu and an own goal by Wael Gomaa were contributors to the Black Stars’ goals. A penalty by Mohamed Aboutrika was the consolation goal for Egypt.
Ghana could have taken the lead just seconds into the match when Gyan found himself unmarked just inside the box but with all the time in the world the Ghana captain rushed his shot and it was easily saved by Egyptian keeper Sherif Ekrami.
Gyan put the Ghanaians in front in the fifth minute as he atoned for his earlier let off. He collected the ball on the edge of the box and sent through a powerful low shot from an awkward angle to make it 1-0 to the Black Stars and send the Kumasi crowd into frenzy.
Egypt were again under siege in the 14th minute when Kwado Asamoah found space on the left flank and with only the keeper to beat he saw his shot saved.
Ghana were certainly having the upper and giving the Egyptian defence a torrid time and in the 21st minute they doubled their through a superb yet fortunate way. Michael Essien dribbled his way past the Egyptians, with their defence at his mercy, the goal area open he seemed to have dribbled one too many times, the ball was disowned from him but it deflected off Gomaa and into the net.
Five minutes before the halftime break Egypt were given a penalty after Rashid Sumaila clumsily fouled Mohamed Salah in the box. Aboutrika scored from the spot kick for the Pharoahs as he sent Ghana’s Orlando Pirates keeper thw wrong way as he pulled one goal back for Egypt to make it 2-1.
Just on the stroke of halftime Ghana reclaimed their two goal advantage.
Meanwhile, World Cup hosts Brazil were made to work hard for a 2-0 win yesterday over a Zambia side whose coach quit last week and who were missing three players reportedly facing arrest in a bizarre club-versus-country row.
The South Americans had to wait nearly an hour before Oscar and Dede scored in a seven-minute spell at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest stadium, the unlikely venue for the first meeting between the five-times world champions and the 2012 African champions.
Brazil, who made six changes from the team who beat South Korea 2-0 on Saturday, battled to their 10th win in 11 games, a run interrupted by August’s 1-0 defeat in Switzerland.-Sapa-AFP.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo