Ayew nets penalty as Ghana labour to win

by Staff Reporter

Monday Nov 18, 2019. 17:00

Ghana had to work hard but came away with victory in the end as they defeated a stubborn Sao Tome e Principe 1-0 in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Group C qualifier in Sao Tome on Monday.

Jordan Ayew converted a second-half penalty in a game of few chances that was played on a difficult artificial surface that the Black Stars struggled to get to grips with.

There was very little free-flowing football between two well-organised sides, and the teams went into the break goalless.

The decisive moment came early in the second period when Ayew netted from 12 yards after a horrendous mistake from Sao Tome goalkeeper Gilmar Eusebio, who dropped a routine catch and then pulled Emmanuel Boateng to the ground as the forward went to chase the loose ball.

Ghana battled to create much else, but will be happy with three points on the road and a full haul of six from their opening two games in the qualifiers.

They will face Sudan in home and away fixtures next August/September, while Sao Tome e Principe meet South Africa.