Goals from Abdul Majeed Waris and Kwadwo Asamoah saw Ghana claim all three points, with Nathan Sinkala pulling one back for the resilient Chipolpolo.
The result, representing relief for Ghana, meant the Black Stars have qualified out of Group D into CAF’s third round of Brazil 2014 qualifiers.
The much anticipated game was witnessed by about 45,000 people at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi on Friday evening.
AllSports brings you some useful facts and stats from the game.
-The game represented a milestone 75th cap for skipper Asamoah Gyan, making him the most-capped member of the squad. The 27-year-old has scored 37 goals since making his debut in 2003, almost 10 years ago. He is, per records available, Ghana’s all-time leading scorer.
-Talking of milestone caps, there was more. Joint, actually. Returnee Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew and Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu both played out their 45th cap for the Black Stars. Andre Ayew has managed four goals, whilst Badu has scored seven goals. Both players were intergral parts of Ghana’s 2009 FIFA Under 20 World Cup winning team.
-For Abdul Fatau Dauda, it was also a milestone cap, though not as big. The Orlando Pirates keeper, who has struggled to get some playing time since making the switch from Obuasi-based AshantiGold, played out his 15th cap. The 28-year-old only became first choice keeper for the stars ahead of Afcon 2013.
-The game was Kwesi Appiah’s 19th game in charge of Ghana since taking charge in April last year. The win was the former Ghana captain’s 13th, managing two losses and four draws. Ghana have managed 42 goals across his 19 games in charge, conceding 14 times.
-The win was Ghana’s 5th win in 10 meetings with the Zambians.
-Abdul Majeed Waris scored Ghana’s first goal of the game. It was the former Right to Dream Academy graduate’s 2nd goal in seven caps, and his second goal in two games for Ghana this year; all at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
-Michael Essien returned to play for Ghana after two and a half years of staying away from National team duties to concentrate on his club duties. It was his 53rd cap for Ghana, that making him the third most-capped member of the team (after Asamoah Gyan – 75 and Kwadwo Asamoah – 57)
-The game was Ghana’s last Group (D) game. Out of six games, Ghana won five (7-0 Lesotho Home, 4-0 Sudan Home, 3-1 Sudan Away, 2-0 Lesotho Away, 2-1 Zambia Home) and lost one (0-1, Zambia, Away). Ghana scored 18 goals, the highest recorded amongst all 10 CAF second round of qualifying groups. They also conceded only three goals, joint with Nigeria (confirmed at the time of writing) and Cameroon (yet to be confirmed at the time of writing) as the lowest number of goals conceded.
-Asamoah Gyan finished as Ghana’s top scorer in the qualifiers at the second round level, scoring four goals in four games. Gyan has scored nine goals in 10 games for Ghana this year, that being his most prolific International year yet. He has already managed four World Cup qualifying games (2006 World Cup qualifying), that making his total number of World Cup qualifying goals scored eight.
-Ghana, currently ranked 24th in the World, is most likely to be seeded ahead of the third round of qualifying (which will be a two-legged home and away playoff to be played in mid October and mid November). Per the rules the top five highest ranked teams will be seeded.
Source: Fiifi Anaman / Allsportsgh
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