Ghana would be looking ahead to next week’s draw of lots for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) with much hope after the Black Stars sealed one of the qualifying places for the inaugural competition.
The Black Stars played out a 0-0 draw against Nigeria at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar on Sunday in the final round qualifying game to secure qualification, leaving it 3-2 on aggregate, having won the first leg at home a fortnight ago.
Ghana, thus picks the West Zone A slot.
Milovan Rajevac made two changes to the team that played the first leg at home as goalkeeper Philemon McCarthy and captain Edmund Owusu-Ansah were handed starting roles.
The Black Stars coach was hoping for a disciplined performance from his side after Ghana came from two goals down to win the first leg. And the team showed such a strong character throughout the 94 minutes of play to seal one of the places at the maiden tournament to be hosted by Ivory Coast next year.
A strong defensive performance by Ghana held Nigeria’s aerial attacks in check as full backs Samuel Inkoom and Habib Mohammed kept their surging runs to the barest minimum.
There were debuts for Richard Atika of Berekum Chelsea and Hearts of Oak's Osei Bonsu as both came on in the second half.
The hosts did not create many chances as they sought to use their aerial strength to find the opener. Nigeria’s best chance came in the second half when a shot across the face of goal was cleared by Habib Mohammed.
Ghana, in the last ten minutes of the game created the better chances both in quality and quantity but, substitute Kojo Poku, Agyemang Badu and debutant, Richard Atika of Berekum Chelsea all failed to get the final ball into the net.
Aside Ghana’s failed attempts at goal, Agyemang Badu’s goal opportunity was the closest Ghana came to finding the back of the net as his shot sailed over the crossbar.
Libya, Tanzania, Senegal, Zimbabwe and Zambia have all qualified for the tournament.
The Confederation of African Football – Caf, will hold the draw for the inaugural competition on December 26 in Abidjan.
The competition, which is for locally-based players only will see Ivory Coast hosting the maiden tournament from the 22nd February-8th March 2009 involving eight sides.
Ghana line up:
Philemon McCarthy, Samuel Inkoom, Habib Mohammed, Ofosu Appiah, Godfred Yeboah, Daniel Yeboah, Jordan Opoku, Edmund Owusu-Ansah/Osei Bonsu, Yaw Antwi/Richard Atika, Agyemang Badu, Francis Coffie/Kojo Poku