President Nana Akufo-Addo has congratulated the senior national team, the Black Stars on their victory over their Kenya counterpart, the Harambee Stars yesterday, Saturday.
In a post, Nana extended “warm congratulations to the players, coach Kwasi Appiah and his technical team, and the management team.”
Ghana sailed through to top Group F of the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers after thrashing Kenya by one goal to nil at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Although both teams have made it to the final tournament in Egypt, President Akufo-Addo wants the Black Stars to strive harder to bring this year’s AFCON trophy to Ghana to end the three-decade drought.
“Warm congratulations to the players, coach Kwasi Appiah and his technical team, and the management team of the senior national football team, the Black Stars, on Saturday’s victory over Kenya. Phase 1 of the project, i.e. topping their AFCON qualifying group, has been realised. Now on to phase 2, that is winning the next AFCON tournament in Egypt. I am confident we can make it, if we work at it. God bless the Black Stars”, Nana Akufo-Addo posted on Facebook.
Ghana 1-0 Kenya: Ekuban strike sinks Harambee Stars in Accra
Caleb Ekuban came off the bench on his debut Black Stars to score a goal that beat Kenya.
In the 83rd minute, the Trabzonspor forward allowed a pass from midfield to go in front of him and he followed through with a powerful shot that slipped under Kenyan goalie Patrick Matasi.
Until that moment, the Black Stars did not look like finding the breakthrough despite a bit more urgency in the second half.
Before the goal from Ekuban, the Stars struggled all game against their own lack of creativity and the discipline of the Kenyan defence.
The victory for Ghana sends them to the top of Group F ahead of Kenya even though both teams have made it to the final tournament in Egypt.
However, the top spot will now mean being seeded and the possibility of a decent group in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the draw for the AFCON 2019 will be held on April 12, in Cairo.
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By: Nii Larte Lartey| citinewsroom.com |Ghana |nlartelartey@gmail.com