Goals from Simba Sylvester and Daniel Afriyie Barnieh powered Black Meteors to a precious 2-0 win over Mozambique at the Baba Yara Stadium to cruise into the third round of the 2023 TotalEnergies CAF U-23 qualifiers.
The Ghanaians right from onset took the game under their total control, dictating it pace and pattern.
The Meteors had some decent opportunities that came their way in the opening minutes but couldn't make a good use of them.
Ghana finally took the lead just on the stroke of half time. Augustine Randolph took on his marker and played a pass through to Simba Sylvester who struck into the bottom corner to snatch the lead.
In the second half, just from the break, Abdul Raxak nearly doubled Ghana's lead but unluckily, his effort went off the crossbar, Barnieh's rebound header also landed on the roof of the post.
The Junior Mambas responded with another huge opportunity, after Gianluca Antonio was located at far post but his effort was blocked.
On the 53rd minute, the tormentor Simba Silvester made a decent run into the box and was clipped down for a penalty. Who else? Afriyie Barnieh stepped up and scored beautifully to double the Meteor's lead.
Mozambique fabulous build up on the 73rd minute yielded a one on one situation but Pablo had his close range effort denied by Danlad Ibrahim.
Another delicious display earned the visitors a goal on the 88th minute after Alberto Aviola connected beautifully into the net but was sadly flagged off for an offside.
After 90+4 minutes, referee Bakari Gassama brought the game to an end. The Black Meteors advanced into the third round of the qualifiers with a 4-1 on aggregate victory- having won 1-2 in the first leg in Maputo last week.
They will face the winner between DR Congo and Algeria.
