GhanaFA

Benin pray for Ghana finals

16 years ago
Advertisement

Benin ended the United Arab Emirates’ hopes of reaching the finals of the Zenith Bank 4-Nation International Tournament and ensured their place in final match courtesy a goal during injury time in the first half.

Abou Maiga clinched the games match winner in the 46th minute of the first half when his header to long ball ballooned from was poorly handled by the UAE goalkeeper as the ball which never looked as threatening went off his palms and headed straight into the net.

Both sides played well resorting to short passes to break down the opposing team but the Squirrels looked the better side in the opening half as Bruno Metsu’s team failed to get behind the Beninon defence to end the half 1-0 down.

The second half resumed with the UAE team pushing for the equaliser but were rather met by a resolute Squirrels defence giving cover to their goalkeeper, Rachad Chitou.

Benin, who now make their way to the finals of the competition would await the outcome of Sunday’s game between host, Ghana and Togo and play the winner on Wednesday.

The United Arab Emirates would seek either the 3rd or 4th positions by playing the loser of Sunday’s game.

Benin goalscorer, Abou Maiga says the win would spur on the team to play better in the next game, which happens to be the finals and possibly win it, a situation he describes would boost their morale for next year’s African Cup of Nations.

“It means alot to us to start the competition this way. That (competition) would help us for our African Cup of Nations. We are so delighted to have won.

“We came for a win and we are now waiting for the Ghana game to see what would happen,” Maiga said in post game interview.

Benin, who will play at the Nations Cup for only the second time after taking one of the three places for best runners-up in the qualifying groups remain happy with the organisation of the tournament which is an exercise for his team ahead of the major tournament, CAN 2008, says team coach, Gomez Wabi.

“It’s an exercise for us but I thank everyone for the organisation. I liked the game.

“It was a small performance because we were tired. We didn’t play well but would improve in the second match,” Gomez Wabi says.

“All teams would like to win (tournament). It would be good to play Ghana.”

Match-day-1 of the Zenith Bank 4-Nation International Tournament which kicked off today at the 40,000-seater Ohene Djan stadium.

Ghana, Benin, Togo and the United Arab Emirates are the teams who are playing in the mini tournament spanning over a four-day period, November 17 and runs to November 21.

The winner of the Zenith Bank 4-Nation International Tournament picks $70,000; the runner-up takes home $50,000.

An amount of $40,000 would go to the third-placed side while the fourth team settles for $30,000.