Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Andre Ayew of Ghana celebrates with teammates Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Ghana booked their place in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals after defeating Mauritius 2-0 on Sunday afternoon.
The Group H encounter was played at the Stade Anjalay in a small Mauritian city Belle Vue Maurel.
The victory saw the Black Stars of Ghana win Group H after accumulating 13 points, while Mauritius remain third on the group standings.
The visitors dictated the pace of the game, while applying pressure on the Dodos defence in the opening stages of the encounter.
Mauritius goalkeeper Kevin Jean-Louis denied Ghana midfielder Christian Atsu the opening goal in the 23rd minute with a great a low save.
Four minutes later, Black Stars full-back Harrison Afful pushed forward and he cut inside from the right, and he unleashed a shot which was blocked.
The home side launched a quick counter attack in the 40th minute, but Ghana defender John Boye made an important interception at the back.
At the other end, Jean-Loius made two great saves to deny Ghana captain Andre Ayew a few minutes before the half-time break.
The Black Stars dominated in the opening stages of the second-half. Frank Acheampong’s dangerous low cross was cleared away by Stewart St-Louis in the 55th minute.Thirteen minutes later, Ghana head coach Avram Grant made his first change – introducing Agyemang Badu for another midfielder Afriyie Acquah.
The Black Stars’ pressure paid off in the 71st minute when Andre Ayew received the ball inside the Dodos box and he scored to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
Baba Rahman pushed forward four minutes later and he played a cross for Atsu who doubled Ghana’s lead with a great finish from inside the Mauritius box.
The goal sealed Ghana’s 2-0 victory on the day and the Black Stars secured a place in the 2017 AFCON finals which will be hosted by Gabon.
Mauritius (0) 0
Ghana (0) 2 (A.Ayew 71′, Atsu 74′)
Ghana XI: Brimah, Afful, Baba, Mensah, Boye, Wakaso, Atsu, Acquah, Acheampong, A.Ayew, J.Ayew
Mauritius XI: Jean-Louis, Dorza, Vincent, Balisson, Rasolofonirina, Francis, Bru, Bell, K.Bru, St-Louis, Noel