Ghana are through to the AFCON finals after a 1-1 draw with South Africa in the Group C qualifier that was played at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Thursday.
The result guarantees the Black Stars a place in the top two of the group, while Bafana Bafana and Sudan will fight it out to book their ticket to Cameroon for next year’s AFCON as they meet in a do-or-die game in Omdurman on Sunday.
The South Africans just need to avoid defeat to go through to the AFCON finals, which means that Sudan need to win at home to qualify for the finals.
South Africa should have claimed the lead in the fifth minute, with Themba Zwane doing great work to set up Thapelo Morena with a clear chance in the penalty area, but the wingback somehow missed the target as his effort went into the side netting.
Bafana Bafana had a terrific chance in the 19th minute as well when Sifiso Hlanti’s cross from the left picked out Percy Tau, but the striker could not get over the header and direct it on target. Less than a minute later, Hlanti had a go just outside the 18-yard area, but Ghana goalkeeper Razak Abalora made a sharp save to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Ghana grew into the game as it progressed, though they struggled to create openings for Mohammed Kudus and Emmanuel Gyasi, with South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams rarely called into action in a first half which ended goalless.
The Black Stars came out all guns blazing in the second half and took the lead early in the 49th minute as Kudus received a pass from right-back Benson Annang that he took neatly before firing a low shot which that went in off the inside of the post.
Bafana Bafana levelled it up almost immediately, in the 52nd minute as Ruzaigh Gamildien put Tau into space on the right of the penalty area and the striker sent a low effort past the right side of Abalora to make it 1-1.
Ghana made it through a tricky group with flying colours and will be happy to have qualified with a game to spare.
Group C action will return on Sunday, 28th March, as Ghana will look to secure the top spot in their group with a win against Sao Tome & Principe while South Africa will visit Sudan and try to avoid defeat to feature in Africa’s elite continental competition next year.
