The Kumasi sports stadium this afternoon was full of thrills as the local black stars team advanced to the finals of the ongoing GOtv WAFU tournament after defeating Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final group A match.Ghana needed nothing but a win to ensure they bring back the dream of host and win.As usual the Kumasi sports stadium did not have the best of turn outs as there were only few fans in the stands to withness the game.Non-the less the game went on smoothly as the few fans that troop into the stadium were entertained with good exhibition of soccer.Ghana coach Maxwell Konadu who was very optimistic about Ghana's qualification made few changes in his team that won and lost to Sierra Leon and Benin respectively.King Faisal and top scorer of the Ghana premier League Sulley Mohammed had his first start as he come into the starting line up at the expense of Abdul Basit who partnered Yahaya Mohammed in the the previous games.Experienced midfielder Edmond Owusu Ansah also earned himself a start for the first time,with Joshua Tijani filling the left back position for Emmanuel Asante who received a red card in the game against Benin.Aduana Stars goalkeeper Stephen Adams also came in for first choice keeper Foli Adade.
It was Burkina Faso who showed early indications as midfielder Alhassan stike in the 5th min went wide.Ghana quickly responded with that call after Edmond Owusu Ansah also trying a long range shot from 25yards which went over the bar.However,Ghana goalkeeper Stephen Adams was tested for the first time in the 8th min when he tipped Basiru Omarou's shot to corner.Ghana captain Yahaya Mohammed blasted a powerful shot in the 16th min but was calmly saved by the Burkina keeper Kabore Mohammed.
The tempo of the game seemed to have been rising when right back Godfred Saka squeezed in a free kick into the bottom corner of the post from the right hand of the penalty box to register the first goal.Ghana kept on the momentum and nearly got the 2nd goal in the 23rd min when striker Sulley Mohammed volleyed home a nice flick on from Yahaya Mohammed to force the Burkina keeper to pull out a fine save.In the 34th min Edmond Owusu Ansah picked out Yahaya Mohammed in the penalty box who controlled very well but failed to lob the ball into the net as his strike went off target.Burkina however hard the chance to equalize in the 40th min after striker Sidiq Troare received a perfect pass from midfield only to blow it wide.A minute later,Traore took on defender Godfred Saka from the right hand side of defence just for the defender to bring him down in the 18 yard box.Referee Amoh Joshua did not hesitate as he blew his whitsil for a penalty kick.Burkina goalkeeper and skipper Kabore Mohammed calmly slotted the ball in to the net to draw his side level.
Winger Theophilous Annobah had the opportunity to put Ghana ahead on more time but his header from a Godfred Saka free kick went over the bar.The first half however ended in a 1-1 draw.
Ghana came back into the 2nd half with a more attacking mind game as they piled on the pressure,and it was Yahaya Mohammed who showed a leadership role when he put Ghana in front with a blistering header from a Theophilous Annobah's cross from the right hand side of attack.Burkina then lifted their game as the begin to take control of the game.Head coach Maxwell Konadu then brought on midfielder Micheal Akuffo for Edmond Owusu Ansah to boost up his midfield.Burkina Faso nearly got the equalizer in the 64th min but with a timely clearance on the line from defender Godfred Saka which kept the stars in the lead.
It seemed the Burkina-be had taking control of the game.Maxwell brought in another midfielder Jordan Opoku to help in midfield.20 min from time,Burkina striker Sidiq Traore who had been their danger man through out the game tested goalkeeper Stephen Adams with a fine shot but the Aduan Stars shot stopper stood his grounds.Burkina head coach threw in more men in seach of the equalizer as he brought on skillful man Eric Troare to help in attack.In the 73rd min Stephen Adams was once again tested as he punched the ball away to a corner kick following a well taking free kick from Eric Troare.
With just 7min to play Coach Maxwell Konadu saw the threat of the Burkina's and was forced to bring on defender Abeiku Ainooson to tighting his defence.Micheal Akuffo's first time shot in the 85th min was blocked by the Burkina defence to prevent Ghana from getting a 3rd goal.However Ghana midfielder Latif Mohammed should have sealed victory in the 90th min after a one-on-one encounter with goalkeeper Kabore Mohammed but failed to put the ball at the back of the net.With few minutes to end proceeding, the lights at the stadium however went off which eventually delayed the game for about 2min of which after the lights came on.Ghana kept their composure till the blast of the referee's whitsil to finish with a 2-1 victory.
The win means Ghana advance to the finals to face winners of group B after Benin and Sierra Leon shared spoils in the other group game.
Ghana goalkeeper Stephen Adams was arjudged the man of the match with Burkina goalkeeper Kabore Mohammed taking the fair play award.
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