Match Report: Ghana 3-1 São Tomé- Black Stars cement AFCON qualification with massive win over São Tomé

Ghana cruised to a convincing 3-1 win over São Tomé and Principe in their final group C game of the ongoing 2022 AFCON Qualifiers on Sunday.

After a cagey opening exchanges at the Accra Sports Stadium, the Black Stars got their noses in front courtesy of Nicholas Opoku’s header from Kudus Mohammed’s corner kick.

The Udinese defender rose highest to connect with Kudus‘ beautifully delivered ball in the tenth minute to score his first goal for the senior national team.

From then on, the home team took control of the game, carving open the São Tomé defense on multiple occasions, albeit without finding the killer ball.

The wave of pressure however paid off when Ghana were awarded a penalty for a clear foul on Jordan Ayew in the 30th minute.

The Crystal Palace man stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to make it 2-0.

Jordan has now 18 goals for Black Stars in 64 appearances.

At the start of the second half, Coach C.K Akonnor handed a debut to Great Olympics midfielder Gladson Awako who came in as replacement for Osman Bukari.

Ghana continued to dominate proceedings with Thomas Partey, and Mubarak Wakaso pulling the strings in midfield.

The Black Stars increased their tally on the hour mark after some great work by Kudus again to set up Baba Rahman to power home from close range.

Akonnor made wholesale changes during the final twenty minutes with Ibrahim Imoro, Wriedt, Justice Blay and Kwame Poku coming on for Jordan, Baba Rahman, Wakaso, and Kudus.

São Tomé got a consolation late in the game after Razak Abalora who was largely a spectator until that point gifted the visitors a goal.

The Asante Kotoko shot stopper’s risky pass from the back was intercepted before Iniesta slammed the ball into an empty net.

Although qualification to the continental showpiece scheduled to be played in Cameroon next year was already secured before today’s clash, the result means that Ghana finish the qualifying campaign as group leaders with 13 points from six games.