The Black Stars of Ghana staged a dramatic comeback for the second time running, overturning a 2-1 halftime deficit to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic on Monday evening at a jam-packed Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
Ghana took an early lead in the 6th minute after hat-trick hero Jordan Ayew converted a penalty. The spot-kick was awarded following a foul on Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, who was clean through on goal after an error by the visiting defense. Ayew, the Crystal Palace forward, calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, giving Ghana an early advantage.
However, the lead was short-lived. Just five minutes later, Louis Mafouta, who also scored a hat trick, netted the first of his three goals. A long punt upfield from Geoffrey Kondogbia bypassed the high line of the Ghanaian defense, and Mafouta struck home past the onrushing Ati Zigi, silencing the home fans and making it 1-1.
Despite the best efforts of the nimble-footed Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ghana's attack lacked any significant impetus. Sulemana troubled the right side of the Central African defense but failed to deliver any end product. The game seemed to be heading for a draw at halftime until the Central African Republic scored again. Kudus Mohammed, who had been a passenger in the first half, lost the ball in the visitors' half, allowing them to launch a quick counter-attack. Mafouta danced his way through the Ghanaian defense before nutmegging the hapless Ati Zigi to make it 2-1, prompting boos from the home crowd.
Ghana started the second half aggressively, with Kamaldeen Sulemana and Kudus Mohammed sending tame shots at the Central African Republic goal. The visitors did not heed these warnings, and in the 60th minute, Jordan Ayew equalized for Ghana with a header from a Gideon Mensah cross. Two minutes later, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku's shot deflected off a Central African Republic defender, giving Ghana a 3-2 lead.
Jordan Ayew completed his hat trick and extended Ghana's lead to 4-2 by turning home a rebound from a Kudus Mohammed shot. In injury time, Louis Mafouta scored a free kick from an audacious range to complete his hat trick and make it 4-3, creating a nervy end to the game. Ati Zigi might have to reflect on his performance, particularly for letting in that third goal.
Tariq Lamptey had a chance to wrap up the game when he was clean through on goal, but he scuffed his shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Despite this miss, Ghana held on to secure the vital win.
With this victory, Ghana moved to the top of Group I with 9 points from 4 matches, having played a game more than Comoros, Mali, and Chad. The thrilling nature of the match and the comeback showcased the resilience and fighting spirit of the Black Stars, providing hope and excitement for their fans.
The next round of matches in Group I will see Madagascar hosting Mali, while Chad will host Comoros, both games scheduled for Tuesday. These results will be crucial in determining the standings in the group and the prospects for qualification.
Ghana's comeback win over the Central African Republic not only secured three crucial points but also demonstrated the team's ability to fight back from difficult situations. The performance of players like Jordan Ayew, who scored a hat trick, and the contributions from other key players will be vital as the Black Stars continue their quest for qualification.
The passionate support from the fans at Baba Yara Sports Stadium played a significant role in pushing the team forward, especially in the second half. The Black Stars will need to maintain this momentum and address defensive lapses to ensure they continue to perform at a high level in the remaining matches of the qualification campaign.
The Black Stars' thrilling 4-3 victory over the Central African Republic was a testament to their resilience and determination.
Overcoming a halftime deficit to secure the win showcased the team's fighting spirit and provided a much-needed boost to their qualification hopes. With key matches ahead, Ghana will look to build on this performance and secure their place at the top of Group I.
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