Ghana’s Black Stars opened their qualifying for the 2023 African Cup of Nations with a 3-0 victory against Madagascar at the Cape Coast Stadium on Wednesday (1 June).
Nine minutes after the interval, Kudus broke the deadlock by heading home a low cross from Afena-Gyan, and two minutes later, the AS Roma star made his debut with a flick after meeting a Gideon Mensah cross.
Osman Bukari, a second-half replacement, then clinched the victory with five minutes remaining, eluding the Madagascar defenders before taking on the goalie and coolly slotting home.
The Black Stars got off to a bright start and should have broken the deadlock after three minutes when Jordan Ayew saw his low strike go inches wide.
Ten minutes Fatawu Issahaku fired from outside the box and missed narrowly before combining with Afena-Gyan two minutes later, but the AS Roma forward’s strike was deflected out for a corner kick.
Mohammed Kudus sent the 19-year-old through with a defence-splitting pass, but the youngster could not find the back of the net.
Iddrisu Baba’s goal-bound header was then cleared off the line by the Madagascar goalkeeper before Jordan Ayew saw his long-range effort saved by the shot-stopper, who was busy in the first half.
Madagascar had a chance to break the deadlock after a sweet combination upfront before the break.
The Black Stars returned from the break strongly and just nine minutes into the second half, Ajax star Mohammed Kudus broke the deadlock after meeting a low cross from Felix Afena-Gyan.
Two minutes later Afena-Gyan went from provider to scorer. The AS Roma teenager flicked home a Gideon Mensah cross for Ghana’s second.
The four-time African champions dominated the game and with ten minutes remaining, Ghana coach Otto Addo made a triple substitution, bringing on Antoine Semenyo, Osman Bukari and Daniel-Kofi Kyereh for Afena-Gyan, Fatawu Issahaku and Andre Ayew.
Osman Bukari secured the win in the second half after eluding two Madagascar players to score his first goal for the national team.
