Posted by The Black Stars of Ghana lost 1-0 to the Falcons of Sudan in Omdurman.
CK Akonnor went into the game without numerous key men, André Ayew was out due to an injury he picked up in training, Richard Ofori was out due to the accumulation of numerous yellow cards, whiles Joseph Attamah and Razak Abalora contracted COVID-19.
Herbert Verlud named a similar team to the team that played against Ghana in Cape coast, Samawal Merghani, Ahmed Ibrahim, Amir Kamal, Ahmed Hamed, Ramadan Agab and Mohamed Abdel Rahman started.
The Black Stars came into the game needing just a point to qualify for the 2022 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, Whiles Sudan needed a win to keep their hopes of making the continental showpiece event alive.
Ghana’s lineup for the game: Fatau Dauda (GK), Nicholas Opoku, John Boye, Alexander Djiku, Baba Abdul Rahman, Afriyie Acquah, Mubarak Wakaso, Tariqe Fosu, Jeffrey Schlupp, Jordan Ayew (C), Caleb Ekuban
Sudan’s lineup for the game: Ali Abdallah, Samawal Merghani, Ahmed Ibrahim, Amir Kamal, Faris Abdullah, Nasr Eldin Shigel, Abuaagla Abdallah, Mohamed Rasheed, Ahmed Hamed, Ramadan Agab, Mohamed Abdel Rahman
Ghana started the game the better side and nearly broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, a good shot from Jordan Ayew in a tight angle crossed the face of the goal.
A minute later, Ekuban failed to connect with a good cross from Mubarak Wakaso.
The Sudanese grew into the game and had the best chance of the half in the 27th minute, Fatau Dauda made a good save in a 1 on 1 situation against Abdel Rahman.
Ghana came close again to scoring in the 36th minute, goalkeeper Ali Abdallah made a good run to clear a good pass from Mubarak Wakaso to Tarique Fosu.
The game at the end of 45 minutes ended scoreless.
Ghana started the second half better than they ended the first, Jordan Ayew received a pass from the middle and tried his luck from distance with a fantastic shot, goalkeeper Ali Abdallah palmed the ball away.
The game from then was evenly contested and looked like it was ending in a draw, but the hearts of Ghanaians was pierced in the dying embers of the game.
Mohamed Abdel Rahman scored in additional time to hand Sudan a lifeline and dent Ghana’s hopes of securing a place in the next AFCON.
The game ended 1-0, Sudan keep their hopes of playing in the AFCON in Cameroon alive, whiles Ghana will have to wait to secure a place in prestigious tournament.
Ghana still sit top of the group with 9 points, South Africa second with 9 points, Sudan 3rd with 6 points, São Tomé and Principe are bottom with no point.