The Black Meteors’ prospects of advancing to the third round were improved after defeating Mozambique by a score of 1-2 at the Estádio do Zimpeto in Maputo.
In the first leg of the 2023 CAF U-23 Championship qualifications, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh is the away team’s standout performer.
The team released a video comprised of Danlad Ibrahim being the captain of the side together with in-form forward, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, demanding the support and prayers of Ghanaians while they were away in Maputo.
Ibrahim Tanko’s side began on an explosive note, having taken the game to the host in search of an early and surprising opener.
The Mambas made their first risky push in quest of a goal in the 25th minute, but a fantastic intervention from Aaron Essel of Bechem United saved the situation for the visitors. Mozambique’s strong home defence kept steadfast to deny Ghana’s U23 team an early goal.
Afriyie, who has demonstrated that he performs better enough when donning the national colours than when wearing the rainbow jersey, nearly scored in the 30th minute, but his shot narrowly missed the goal post.
The first half in Mozambique finished in a goalless draw, despite a strong performance by the away team, but after the break, the Black Meteors picked up where they left off and put tremendous pressure on the home squad.
After five minutes of having their two-goal lead, Danlad, the team’s captain, came to the visitors’ rescue with another point-blank save.
Mozambique concluded the game extremely precariously with fewer than five minutes remaining, pushing more players forward in pursuit of a consolation, which they ultimately obtained in the 88th minute after scoring off a rebound.
After full-time, coach Ibrahim Tanko and his team finished 1-2. The return leg is set to begin next Monday in Kumasi. The Baba Yara Stadium is the venue for the return fixture.
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