How the Black Stars secured a place at next year’s AFCON against South Africa

The Black Stars of Ghana have secured qualification to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted in  Cameroon after drawing 1-1 with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

After a goalless first half, Kudus Mohammed pulled off some magic and broke the deadlock in the game as his fine strike hit the post and beat Williams in South Africa’s goal.

The Ajax star ran onto a pass from the right at the start of the second half and beat the South African defense with a delightful touch which took him into the box.

His second touch was even better as his shot beat the keeper and went in off the post.

Ghana’s goal was short-lived as Brighton Hove Albion’s Percy Tau grabbed the equalizer.

Prior to the goal, C.K Akonnor’s men were lacking creativity and were poor in every aspect of the game, with Percy Tau constantly tormenting Baba Rahman.

Thapelo Morena of South Africa came close twice in the first half but none of his efforts could find the back of the net as Bafana Bafana looked the hungrier of the two sides at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

Ghana went back to sleep after Kudus had opened the scoresheet, with the team failing to create anything substantial.

They were left off the hook several times as the South Africans themselves failed to be incisive with their passes in the final third of the game.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s Razak Abalora came to the rescue of the Black Stars in the course of the game, ensuring the team held on to the draw to secure a point.

The draw means the Black Stars of Ghana still sit on top of Group C with 10 points, followed by South Africa, Sudan, and São Tomé, and Príncipe.

Why the Black Stars have qualified for the AFCON regardless of the results on Sunday

• With Sudan and South Africa playing each other in the final game, only one of those sides will be able to overtake the Stars if Ghana gets at least a point against Sao Tome and Principe.
• (and if Ghana loses to Sao Tome and Principe in the final game) –  a win over Sudan would take South Africa through as group winners, knocking the Sudanese out. Ghana go through as runners-up.
• (and if Ghana loses to Sao Tome and Principe in the final game) – a win over South Africa would take Sudan through as group winners, leaving the Stars level on points with the South Africans. With a better points tally in meetings between the two sides, Ghana still goes through.
• (and if Ghana loses to Sao Tome and Principe in the final game) – a draw between South Africa and Sudan would take South Africa through as group winners. Sudan would then finish level on 10 points with Ghana. Both sides have a win over the other but the Black Stars have a better goal difference in those meetings; beating Sudan 2-0 and losing 1-0.