Ghana’s Black Stars suffered defeat in the hands of South Africa on Monday evening in their second FIFA World Cup qualifier at the FNB stadium.
Ghana’s coach Charles Kwablah Akonnor was forced to do without his English-based players due to South African being a red zone Covid-19 area. There was no Jordan Ayew, Jeffrey Schlupp, Andy Yadom, Baba Rahman and Daniel Amartey.
South African coach Hugo Broos also made two attacking changes after a disappointing output upfront against Zimbabwe in the first game. Gift Links and Luther Singh were replaced by Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Ethan Brooks respectively.
The Ghanaians started the game at a blistering pace with composed play in the middle of the field and controlled the game in the opening exchanges of the match. Fatawu Mohammed sent a pinpoint pass to Joel Fameyeh but the attacker was brought down by the last South African defender who only saw a yellow card for his offence. South Africa came close to scoring when Richard Ofori failed to grab a free-kick at once but the Stars’ blushes were spared when Percy Tau blasted over the bar from the rebound.
Tau later scored a legitimate goal but only for the assistant referee to raise his flag to disallow the hosts the opener.
In the 83rd minute, Bongokuhle Hlongwane pounced on a long cross from the right side of the South African attack to put them into the lead.
The goal was enough to secure Bafana Bafana their first win in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and first win against the Black Stars since 2000. The homesters displayed a spirited performance against the four-time Africa Cup of Nations champions but were unlucky upfront to add a second.
Following the results, South Africa have moved on top of Group G with four points leaving Ghana at the second spot with three points.
Ethiopia will be welcoming Zimbabwe to Addis Ababa in another Group G match on Tuesday.
