A busy afternoon of 2023 AFCON qualifier ended with Ghana cruising to a 2-1 win against the Central African Republic in Kumasi.
With most of the focus on who picks the ticket to next year's AFCON, Chris Hughton's men produced a listless display to record all that important victory.
The Black Stars were far from their flowing best, especially in the first half, but they produced the quality moments in the game and in the end ran out comfortable winners. Ernest Nuamah scored the winner in the dying embers of the game after Mohammed Kudus had cancelled out Louis Mafouta's earlier strike for the visitors.
Ghana's experience trumped CAR's lack of belief
As good as the Les Fauves of CAR were at times during the game, they didn’t go for the jugular at any point. It was easy to see Raoul Savoy's plan. Stay in the game and pounce at the right time just as they did in the reverse fixture.
They weren’t bad on the day but were too inexperienced to believe they were capable of beating the Black Stars and it showed in most periods of the game.
Antoine Semenyo gives Black Stars new lease of life
The Black Stars have regularly been undermined by a lack of pace and goalscoring prowess on the final third. All too often, the lads' little-to-no-threat when it really mattered.
Not now, for with Antoine Semenyo, Hughton's side finally have at least one player capable of changing the dynamics of the game as evidenced against the Central African Republic on Thursday. His example is pressing intelligently from the front encouraged others to follow suit.
His performance gave many Ghanaian football lovers and neutrals alike what they've missed for some time now. He didn't score on the day but assisted Ghana's second and almost got Ghana's third goal but his shot hit the goal post after been put through by Ernest Nuamah.
Raoul Savoy building a strong CAR side
On paper, there is nothing particularly special about this CAR team. Yet, Raoul Savoy has succeeded in creating a unit which is more worth than the sum of its parts- and that bodes extremely well for that side.
Every member of the team knew his individual and collective responsibilities on Thursday, and although there were moments when the Les Fauves relied on a bit of luck, they generally carried out their tasks well.
The confidence he has instilled in the team suggests a bright future; they play a lot with a huge gulf in quality and Savoy deserves the chance to build something long term if he so pleases.
Inaki Williams fails to make an impression
It wasn't all good news for Atletico Bilbao fans with Inaki Williams once again failing to make an impact. Up against a hard-working CAR defence, the 29-year-old failed to find any space but perhaps more worryingly, he failed to make any impact in the area.
Famed for his ability to pop-up with a crucial goal, those late runs into the penalty box which has become his trademark in the La Liga has all dried up in the Ghanaian colours, and that is a major concern for Hughton.
It will also be of concern for the Basque faithful who will be hoping the Ghanaian striker can be a key player for them this campaign. If he was fit, then his performance was dismal and if he played through injury, then it raises even more questions as to why he lasted that long before being subbed off.
