Kumasi, June 1, GNA - The Senior National Team, the Black Stars on Sunday spanked the Greens of Libya 3-0 in their opening encounter of the 2010 FIFA World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations (ACN) Qualifying Series played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
It was the Libyans, who went into attack when referee Maillet Eddy Allen of Seychelles whistled for hostilities to begin and nearly took the lead in the second minute as a result of a defensive blunder but Skipper John Mensah came in quickly to save the situation before Osam Ben Saleh could cause any havoc.
The Libyans went on attack again in the fifth minute with Ali Khalifa Alsbay missing the post narrowly with a grounder. He had another opportunity in the sixth minute but again missed narrowly.
After the scary moves by the Greens, Black Star lifted their game up and started sending forays into their opponents' half of the field and one of such yielded a corner kick in the eight minute which was taken by Laryea Kingston but Prince Tagoe's header went over the bar.
The Black Stars stepped up the heat and in the 16th minute, Manuel Agogo gave a pass to Prince Tagoe, who raced with the ball and shot it into the net leaving Libyan Goalkeeper Samir Abbud sprawling.
The goal spurred on the Stars and they probed for more goals. In the 21st minute, Sulley Muntari delivered one of his characteristic shots but Keeper Abbud parried it to corner. The resultant corner kick was wasted.
In the 30th minute, Osama Hamadi pushed a goal-bound shot from Prince Tagoe to corner, which was also wasted. Osama Ben Sella was flashed the yellow card in the 34th for rough play.
In the 53rd minute Agogo failed to connect a cross from Prince Tagoe, he, however, made amends in the 54th minute when he headed home a cross from Kingston.
Agogo wasted an opportunity in the 51st minute and in the 63rd minute Mutari's shot hit the upright.
In the 65th minute, Kingston sealed the doom of the Libyans with a perfect right footer after receiving a pass from Afful Harrison.
Sensing danger the Libyans made some changes, with Nader Karra taking over from Khaled Hussen and Ahmed Elmassli coming in for Ali Khalifa Alsbaay in the 67th minute. Sulley Muntari received a yellow card for rough play in the 69th minute.
The substitution nearly paid off when the Libyan came close to scoring but Goalkeeper Richard Kingson saved substitute Emmassli's shot in the 70th minute. The Libyans wasted another opportunity in the 71st minute when Ahmed Osmar shot wide a minute later.
Libya exhausted their substitution with Mohamed Zubya taking over from Osama Ben Saleh in the 77th minute.
In the 80th minute, the Black Stars also made two quick changes with Eric Bekoe and Haminu Dramani replacing Agogo and Muntari, respectively and exhausted their substitution with Francis Dickoh coming in for Skipper Mensah in the 83rd minute.
Michael Essien made a deep incursion in 84th minute but Goalkeeper Abbud made a dramatic save and pushed the ball to corner. Dickoh headed the corner kick over the cross bar.
The Libyans made a last minute attempt with inter positional changes and accurate passes but found the Defence of the Stats impenetrable, bringing the final score of the match, which was watched by the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Ghana 3, Libya 0.
Line up - Black Stars: Richard Kingson; John Painstil; Harrison Afful; Eric Pappoe; John Mensah/Francis Dickoh; Anthony Annan; Laryea Kingston; Michael Essien; Manuel Agogo/Eric Bekoe; Prince Tagoe; Sulley Muntari/Haminu Draman.
Libya: Samir Abbud; Ejlal Walid; Shibani Younes; Hamadi Osama; Elmughrby Mohammed; Slil Abdul Vaser; Abdusalam Nader; Hussel Khalid/Karra Nader; Osman Ahmed; Alsbaay Ali Khalifa/Elmassli Ahmed; Salen Ben Osama/Zubya Mohammed. 1 June 08
Highlights
Goal: Prince Tagoe (15')Junior Agogo (64min)
Laryea Kingston(66min)
Substitutions: Bekoe for Agogo, Dramani for Muntari, Dickoh for Mensah
Ghana (Lineup): 1. Richard Kingston 2. John Paintsil 3. Harisson Afful 4. Eric Addo 5. John Mensah(Dickoh) 6. Anthony Annan 7. Laryea Kingston 8. Michael Essien 9. Junior Agogo (Bekoe) 10. Prince Tagoe 11.Sulley Ali Muntari(Dramani)
Subs: William Amamoo, Hans Adu Sarpei, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Eric Bekoe, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Prince Buabeng 18. Francis Dickoh
2010 FIFA World Cup, African Grp 5 Qualifier
