Ghana's home-based national team, Black Galaxies thumped on their Benin counterparts by a resounding 3-0 win at the Cape Coast Stadium in the first leg of the 2022 African Nations Championship qualifiers.
The Beninese started the game on a good note with some glimpses of attack leaving the Ghanaian laterals struggling in the opening minutes.
The Ghanaians settled very quickly and nearly snatched the lead on the 7th minute but Evans Osei-Wusu's drive in the box missed the post by few inches.
The Squirrels also came so close to finding the back of the net after Danlad Ibrahim failed to stop Roland's awesome free kick from the left but went out for a restart.
Ghana with another opportunity after Jonah Attuquaye controlled a Razak Kasim's long pass on the path of Afriyie Barnieh- whose powerful long range hit was tipped off by goalkeeper Serge Obassa.
Another beautiful combination on the right fell on Evans Osei-Wusu, his cross went off the hand of an opposing player in the box which resulted into a penalty. Daniel Afriyie Barnieh stepped up and scored neatly to put Ghana ahead on the 25th minute.
Ghana scored again on the 36th minute through Jonah Attuquaye but surprisingly was ruled out for an offside.
In the second half, the homesters with an explosive start which got them a free kick at a good position but Awako's delivery was tipped off for corner.
Imoro with a swift delivery, failed to be cleared properly and fell off Mohammed Alhassan who made no mistake by plotting into the bottom corner of the post to double the Galaxie's lead.
In the 68th minute, Imoro Ibrahim's cross was flicked to Evans Osei-Wusu in the box but his final effort was piled out by Serge Obassa to a wasted corner kick.
Benin with probably their best chance in the second half after substitute Soumala Hounkpe was picked up on the flanks but his curler missed the post by inches. That was close.
Captain Gladson Awako sealed the victory for the Black Galaxies on the 80th minute with a spectacular finish after receiving a lovely pass from Umar Bashiru. It finished 3-0 for Ghana after full time.
The return leg is scheduled for Saturday, July 30, 2022 in Cotonou.
By: Iddriss Abdul Rahim
