Hosts Sudan stun Ghana 1-0 in Omdurman
Sudan stun Ghana 1-0
JOHANNESBURG, November 18 (ANA) – Hosts Sudan stunned footballing powerhouse Ghana 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier, in Omdurman, on Tuesday.
Mohamed Abdel Rahman scored in the second minute of added time to grab all three points in their Group C encounter. With the win, Sudan moved to six points in Group C and improved their chances of a first Afcon qualification since 2012.
Ghana who prior to the Sudan loss hadn’t tasted defeat in three matches, however, remain top with nine points, only edging South Africa on goal difference.
With Sao Tome and Principe already out of contention, the race for the group’s two slots are now left for the top three.
Ghana were looking to complete a double over the Sudanese having beaten them 2-0 in the first leg, but they couldn’t complete the job with their top striker and skipper Andre Ayew missing through injury.
Chances were few and far in between with Caleb Ekuban having half a chance after 10 minutes with a shot from the right which went wide.
Sudan had a chance after 27 minutes, but Abdel Rahman’s shot from inside the box was saved while his attempt at cutting back the ball from the rebound ended in no man’s land.
Ghana created another chance in the 36th minute Mubarak Wakaso sending Tarique Fosu through with a brilliant defence-splitting pass, but the Sudanese keeper was out quickly to clear the danger.
Ghana’s forward play was better in the second half and Jordan Ayew, the skipper of the day taking over from his brother, had a shot from range well-saved by the Sudanese keeper. On the hour mark, Wakaso had a go at goal with a rasping effort from a freekick which was also saved.
Sudan didn’t create much and their best opportunity was in the 75th minute when Ahmed Hamid Al-Tash’s shot on the half turn inside the box went wide.
Ghana had one last chance to try and break the deadlock, and from another set piece, Ayew saw his effort saved by the keeper.
They were punished in the second minute of added time when Abdel Rahman rose well inside the box to head home a Ramadan Agab cross from the right. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman