The Black Galaxies of Ghana are through to the final round of qualification for the 2022 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) following an away win over Benin.
The home-based national team managed to inflict a painful 1-0 home defeat on Benin to make the last hurdle on a 4-0 aggregate in the two-legged fixture.
Ghana coach Annor Walker and his technical team made two changes in the lineup that trounced Benin in the first leg tie at the Cape Coast as Accra Lions midfielder Dominic Nsobila was handed a starting berth ahead of Suraj Seidu.
The Black Galaxies commenced the fixture on a good note as Jonah Attuquaye came close with a golden opportunity in the 16th minute but his strike was fisted out by the Benin goalkeeper.
The hosts, Benin warmed themselves into the game as they made an attempt to break the back line of the Black Galaxies but their efforts went futile.
The first department of the game looked balanced as both sides had few chances created but they failed to utilize them.
Back from the break, Ghana continued their impressive performance as displayed in the early minutes of the first half but none of their efforts earned them the opener.
Coach Annor Walker made a tactical substitution with the introduction of Umar Bashiru and Dennis Nkrumah Korsah as replacements for Evans Osei-Wusu and Imoro Ibrahim respectively
Bashiru needed just then minutes to set up Ghana the opener after a solo run to deliver a pass to Daniel Afriyie Barnieh to connect it firmly into the back of the net.
Afriyie Barnieh’s strike in the 81st minute handed the Black Galaxies a 1-0 away win over Benin to qualify for the final round on a 4-0 aggregate.
Ghana will battle out with their arch-rivals Nigeria in the final round next month.
The Black Galaxies will host Nigeria in the first leg tie at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on 27th August 2022 before travelling to Abuja for the reverse fixture on 4th September 2022.
The winner of the two-legged fixture will secure one of the tickets to the 2022 CHAN will be staged in Algeria next year.
