Birthday boy Ekuban steals the show in Accra

by Staff Reporter

Saturday Mar 23, 2019. 22:54

Ghana beat Kenya 1-0 at at Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday evening to finish top of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group F.

The Black Stars leapfrogged their opponents on the final weekend of qualifying to finish the campaign on nine points, two more than the Harambee Stars who like their opponents, had already booked their ticket to Egypt last year.

Considering both teams were essentially only playing for top spot and not a place at this year's tournament, it is no surprise that the tussle was no classic.

Ghana looked the more hungry of the two sides and had the ball in the back of the net in the 33rd minute through captain Andre Ayew. His celebrations, though, were cut short as the referee had blown his whistle for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Kenya improved following the interval, but despite early promise in the second half the pace of the game dwindled.

Up step, Caleb Ekuban.

Having emerged from the bench just after the hour mark, the Leeds United forward, who is on-loan at Turkish Süper Lig club Trabzonspor this season, sparked a piece magic out of nothing to seal all three points for the hosts.

Ekuban let what looked an ordinary ball forward roll past him before turning sharply and chasing after it, he duly set himself before firing a low left-footed shot past Patrick Matasi in the Kenyan goal to send the home fans into ecstasy.

Ghana (0) 1 (Ekuban 82')

Kenya (0) 0

Ghana: Ofori; Asamoah, Opare, Boye, Opoku, Partey, A.Wakaso (Ekuban 61'), Atsu, Agbenyenu, A.Ayew (Aidoo 87'), J.Ayew (Boateng 76').

Kenya: Matasi; Mayeko, Otieno, Onyango, J.Ochieng, Omomdi (B.Ochieng 78'), Kahata, Wanyama, Ouma Etieno, Odhiambo, Juma (Mutamba 60').