The Black Meteors of Ghana have advanced to the next round of the U-23 African Cup Nations qualifying phase after a win over Mozambique at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Goals from Sylvester Simba and skipper Afriyie Barnieh ensured the Black Meteors secured a 4-1 aggregate win. over the two legs.
Mozambique started the game the stronger of the two sides, threatening to break Ghana’s defense early in the game but Aaron Essel and Augustine Randolph were up to the task and kept them at bay.
Ghana established dominance as the game progressed and created some decent chances but were let down by their finishing.
The Black Meteors finally found a way through just before half time when Augustine Randolph found his teammate Sylvester Simba at the edge of the Mozambique penalty box and made no mistake.
Ghana picked up where they left off with Abdul Razak Yusuf hitting the post soon after the restart, and Barnieh hitting his effort wide after a rebound found its way to his boots.
Mozambique quickly responded with pressure of their own but to no positive outcome as they were well marshalled by the Ghanaian defense.
Sylvester Simba was on display a few minutes after driving into the Mozambique penalty box from the wing and was brought down, earning Ghana a penalty kick.
Skipper and Hearts of Oak star Afriyie Barnieh made no mistake with his spot kick and gave Ibrahim Tanko’s men a two-goal lead.
Mozambique mounted a late pressure that resulted in a goal but was ruled out for offside.
The result means the meteors advance to the next stage of the U-23 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
