Ghana Thump Gabon

The senior national team, the Black Stars yesterday beat their Gabonese counterparts 2-0 in the 2010 World and Africa Nations Cup qualifier played at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

With the victory the Black Stars have thus avenged the defeat they suffered at the hands of the Gabonese a week ago in far away Libreville.

The Black Panthers, otherwise known as the Azingo Nationale, gave the Black Stars a reality check, handing a 2-0 defeat to the Ghanaians who had won the first two matches of the qualifiers.

A goal in each half from Prince 'of goals' Tagoe and Sulley Muntari respectively was all Ghana needed to overcome the tough Gabon team, who gave every indication of fighting for at least a point in the game.

Ghana started yesterday's match on a slow note, allowing the Gabonese to threaten their goal-area in the first few minutes.

The Ghanaians, who had the packed stadium cheering them on, lifted up their game, mounting one onslaught after another.

Prince Tago blew the first real chance of the game when he failed to connect Agogo's low cross from the right.

Ghana applied pressure on the organized Gabonese defence who did all they could to keep the striking pair of Manuel Junior Agogo and Prince Tagoe at bay.

In their quest to keep a clean sheet, the Gabonese got too physical, resulting in the issuance of yellow cards to Stephan Ondo and Thiery Essiamu.

Prince Tagoe's shot came off the woodwork in the 21st minute and Agogo's header on 24 missed narrowly.

Fortunately for Coach Sellas Tetteh, the tenacity of his charges paid off in the 32nd minute when Prince Tagoe beat two defenders and fired a shot into the net for the first goal.

With the Nationwide Supporters Union (NSU) and the Ghana National Supporters Union (GHANSU) among others in attendance, the thunderous roar that greeted the goal at the Ohene Djan Stadium could only be imagined.

After the goal, the face of the match changed, as it was characterized by end-to-end action.

In the 42nd minute, Ghana's midfield generalissimo, Anthony Annan, who had a piece of every action on the day, fired a rocket of a shot that deflected off the body of Prince Tagoe, beating goalkeeper Didier Enang. But the goal was disallowed.

Michael Essien, who had an unusually quiet afternoon, had his appeal for a penalty ignored on the stroke of half time.

The trend in the second half was not different from the first, with Ghana attacking and Gabon defending.

In the 54th minute Prince Tagoe was unlucky when his connection from a Muntari cross was cleared off the line.

Ghana increased the tally in the 75th minute through Muntari, who connected home Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's cross.

Ghana have thus reclaimed the top spot of the group with 9 points after four matches, with a superior goal aggregate over Libya who also have 9 points.

By Mohammed Muniru Kassim