Stars Play Benin

by Modern Ghana

After beating the Hawks of Togo last Sunday, Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars will play Benin in the final of the Zenith Four-nation Tournament at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

The match with Togo at the Ohene Djan Stadium marked the first game for the Black Stars in the country in almost two years.

Black Stars got to business immediately after Gambian referee Modou Saw blew the whistle for the commencement of proceedings at exactly 5.02 pm, with about 25,000 spectators in the stands.

The Ghanaians had the better of the exchanges as they dominated the game in the first half but failed to convert the few chances created with three consecutive corners in the 3rd, 5th and 7th minutes.
Ghanaian striker, Junior Agogo won the hearts of fans with his display of skills upfront.

Agogo netted a goal in the 38th minute but the Gambian referee ruled it as an offside. The first half ended in a stalemate.

Baffour Gyan, who, like Isaac Boakye and Baba Amando, was left out of the 2006 World Cup campaign by Coach Doya, came in for Mathew Amoah after recess and got the opener in the 58th minute when he fired a low shot that beat Togolese keeper Cedic Mensah.

Laryea Kingston made it two in the 75th minute as he connected perfectly a free-kick on the edge of the 18-yard box, after Sulley Muntari was fouled.After the match, Coach Claude Leroy told DAILY GUIDE SPORTS that the 2-0 score was a fair result.

He thanked the fans for their support and players for their co-operation.

“My team played high quality game in the second half to secure a place in the final, though they were under pressure to deliver,” he stressed.

According to Stephen Appiah, Skipper of the Black Stars, it was a bit difficult for the players when the goals were not coming. He called on fans to continue supporting the team.

With the victory over Togo, the Black Stars would play the final on Wednesday against Benin, who had beaten the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the first match played on Saturday.

As a curtain raiser to the final, losers UAE and Togo will battle it out for a third-place ticket which will fetch $40,000.

The fourth team will walk away with $30,000 while the winner of the tournament and runners-up receive $70,000 and $50,000 respectively.