GHANA BEAT SENEGAL TO WIN WAFU TOURNAMENT
After picking up the pieces against Burkina Faso,Ghana continued their winning ways as they beat impressive Senegal in the finals of the GOtv WAFU tournament.For the first time in the tournament,the Kumasi Sports Stadium was almost half full as supporters troop into the stadium to watch two of the most impressive sides in the 1 week tournament.
Ghana head coach after a massive win against Burkina Faso in the last group game match decided to maintain his winning team as he made no changes in his set up.Although there were questions about the central defensive pair between Kwabena Adusei and Nuru Sulley in the last game,Maxwell Konadu seemed to have been ok with the partnership as he paired them once again.Senegal on the other hand had to miss the services of their top striker and top scorer of the tournament Sala Ndiaye through injury.However,Senegal coach,Francois Koto remained very optimistic his side was going to carry the day prior to the game.
The game began on a very bright note for Ghana as they were award a penalty just 2min of play when Sulley Mohammed was brought down by Senegalese defender Shaik Wade in the box.Referee Jerry Yekeh did not hesitate as he whistled for a penalty kick.Asante Kotoko defender Kwabena Adusei expectly slotted the ball home to put Ghana in front.Senegal tried to respond to the early goal scored by the Stars as midfielder Sibi Sarr tried a long range shot in the 7min but his effort went off target.In the 16th min,Sulley Mohammed failed to connect an excerllent cross from Yahaya Mohmmed as the ball went to touch.Ghana came in very strong as Yahaya Mohammed took on Senegalese defender Shaik Wade to drive home a shot but couldn't trouble goalkeeper Lamin Made.In the 21st min,Senegal drew level after a lovely one two play between captain Roger Gomis and Lamin Mendy with the captain fairing a shot from outside of his boots which eventually saw goalkeeper Stephen Adams beaten to it.
In the 25min,Stephen Adams denied Senegal from going ahead when he put up a great save from Lamin Kaita's connection after Sibi Sarr sent in a low cross from the left side of attack.Ghana's head coach Maxwell Konadu was forced to make a change in the 27th min after Yahaya Mohammed failed to continue due to an early injury he sustained,as Micheal Akuffo came on for his team mate at club level.Things still didnt look good for Ghana as they were once again forced to make a 2nd substitution when goalkeeper Stephen Adams picked up an injury in the 35min.Medeama goalie Foli Adade came on to replace him.Ghana however had the opportunity to get themselves in front after Latif Mohammed who seemed to have had a very quiet first half sent a well cut in ball but all three Ghanaian players in the penalty box seemed to have hesitated as no one could connect the ball into the net.After 45min,the game had to cover 7min of additional time due to the injury of Stephen Adams.The first half however ended in a 1-1 draw.
The pace of the game seemed to have risen in the 2nd half but it was Ghana who still controlled affairs as they kept on piling on the pressure.The likes of Solo Mbaye and Richard Sagna had been kept silent by the Ghanaian midfield occupied by Micheal Akuffo,Jackson Owusu and Jordan Opoku,with Ghana dominating possession having 55% as against 45%. Ghana nearly got the 2nd goal in the 63rd min after Senegal goalkeeper Wade failed to grab the ball in his area following a free kick delivered by Godfred Saka from the right hand side of attack.Sulley Mohammed should have done better in the 63rd min but choose to fire the ball wide with his weaker foot after receiving a pass from Micheal Akuffo.In the 73rd min Senegal midfielder Sibi Sarr who had worked tiredly all day had his free kick blown over the bar.
After dictating the pace of the game,Ghana finally got the match needed goal in the 78th min through winger Latif Mohammed after a well sent in ball from Theophilous Anobbah which saw Latif connecting at his near post to send Ghana 2-1 ahead.Frustration began to set in as Senegal midfielder Soro Mbaye received a yellow card on a tackle on Godfred Saka.Ghana kept their composure as Sulley Mohammed came to the receiving end in the 82nd min when he was awarded a controversial penalty by Liberian referee Jerry Yekeh after a challange from Senegalese defender Shaike Wade.Kwabena Adusei once again took the mantle upon himself as he neatly converted to put Ghana 3-1 up.Senegal coach Francois Koto was sent off from the touch line after several complains and misconduct to the 4th referee.On the other hand coach Maxwell Konadu not taking any chances at all brought on defender Abieku Ainooson to maintain his lead.Frustration kept on setting in as Senegal defender Osseynry Thione added up to his side woes when he received the matching orders after delibrately elbowing defender Abieku Ainooson at the later stages of the game.
After a dramatic and exciting showdown,referee Jerry Yekeh brought proceedings to an end.The win however meant that Ghana won the WAFU tournament for the first time since 2002.
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