Match Report: Zimbabwe 0-1 Ghana – Partey’s artistic free-kick steals the show as Black Stars squeeze victory
Ghana’s Black Stars brightened their chance of reaching the final stage of the qualification series for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup with a vital 1-0 away win over Zimbabwe at the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Tuesday afternoon.
Arsenal star Thomas Partey whipped home a sensational free-kick on the 31st-minute mark to secure all three points for the Black Stars.
Ajax Amsterdam talisman Kudus Mohammed unleashed an ambitious 29th-minute drive from range that drew applauds from the few spectators watching at the National Sports Stadium. The 21-year-old twisted and turned his marker before firing at goal but, he missed narrowly.
Ghana continued to ask more questions and Kamaldeen Sulemana broke free from the right. The Rennais whizkid’s vision and unmatched talent allowed him to beat Teenage Hadebe one a 1v1 situation inside the box and attempt to beat Talbert Shumba to the near post but, the Free State Stars goalkeeper deflected his effort wide for a corner.
The Black Stars continued to press and cause Zimbabwe to commit more mistakes and fouls. Meanwhile, Real Mallorca midfielder Baba Iddrisu Mohammed was efficiently discharging his duties as a destroyer and construction expert from central midfield.
Ghana eventually took the lead when Kamaldeen was felled around the area after he beat his marker. Thomas Partey elected him and artistically sent the ball home for the opening goal.
Zimbabwe attempted to pull parity but all their efforts were thwarted by the Ghana defence. Moments before the break Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey should have doubled the lead for Ghana when his goal-bound effort was swept off the line by a Zimbabwean defender.
The Black Stars nearly doubled their advantage when Kudus worked well with Benjamin Tetteh around the area. The former Golden Boy Award nominee then applied a superb technique to curl the ball at goal. But he watched in disgust as his effort rattled the crossbar.
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac was left to employ his game management skills with 15 left on the clock as he brought on Daniel-Kofi Kyereh for Kamaldeen Sulemana while Joseph Aidoo replaced the injured Alexander Djiku.
Samuel Owusu, Caleb Ekuban, and Andre Ayew were all introduced in the last 5 minutes of the game. Jordan Ayew, Kudus Mohammed, and Benjamin Tetteh were the players replaced.
The post Match Report: Zimbabwe 0-1 Ghana – Partey’s artistic free-kick steals the show as Black Stars squeeze victory appeared first on Ghana Sports Online.
Source: Sports
