Ghana’s qualification for the 2017 AFCON got a huge boost as Mubarak Wakaso curled in a beautiful free-kick late on to give Ghana a deserved 1-0 win over Rwanda yesterday.
The victory ensured the Black Stars took firm charge of Group H with six points from the available six.
It was sweet revenge for Ghana who lost to the Amavubi Stars by at the same venue 12 years ago to miss out on the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.
Aside the late winner from the new Las Palmas signing, the majority talking point was about the horrendous pitch which made ball control difficult for both teams.
The ‘potato’ pitch made robbed the match of any highlight Ghana were missing their danger man and most prolific player Asamoah Gyan who failed to win the fitness battle after suffering a knee injury.
Head coach Avram Grant decided to start on-loan Roda JC Kerkrade striker Richmond Boakye-Yiadom in the absence of the Shanghai SIPG arrowhead.
Boakye lacked services and was later withdrawn by Solomon Asante who had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring but shockingly shot wide from inside the box.
The TP Mazembe man was invited into the box by a Jordan Ayew pass which took the Rwanda defenders out of the equation.
The Black Stars looked solid at the back and were up to the task to neutralize Ernest Sugira, Jacques Tuyisenge and Jean Claude Iranzi.
Also, Rwanda right-back Michel Rusheshangoga was able to deal with in-form Andre Ayew, who is in top form for his English Premier League side Swansea City.The second half lacked a clear-cut pattern as the pitch made it impossible to zip the ball around.