Ghana's Black Stars rounded off the activities of this year's PANAFEST on a joyous note as they beat the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica 2-1 in an international friendly football match played at the Accra Sports Stadium for the PANAFEST trophy.
But the Jamaicans, who paraded virtually the same squad that participated in the France '98 World Cup, nearly spoiled the day for the Ghanaians as they shot into the lead against the run of play in the eleventh minute and held on to it till the break.
Patrick Graham sent a beautiful midfield move, initiated by Curtis Anthony to Fuller Ricardo, who pushed it into the path of Graham to finish off.
Getting to the closing stages of the first half, the Stars redoubled their effort up-front with right winger Robert Boateng of Asante Kotoko fame supplying the goods but the duo strikers of France-based Arthur Moses and Emmanuel Tetteh of Greece were always eclipsed by the defence of the visitors. Coach Giussepe Dosena brought on Felix Aboagye for defender Princeton Owusu Ansah at the start of the second half to add more bite in the attack of the Stars. The change paid off in the 59th minute as Moses dived to head home Tetteh's cross from the left flank for the equalizer.
In the 60th minute, the coach sent sensational Baba Amando of Kotoko for Richard Ackon and four minutes later, Amando set the stadium alive with a left footer flick into the roof of the net for the Stars leader. It was a fast break from the right flank to Amando who beautifully controlled Aboagye's in swinger before slotting it in.
Mr. E.T. Mensah, Minister of Youth and Sports, assisted by Mr. Kojo Yankah, Chairman of the PANAFEST Foundation, presented the trophy, donated by President Jerry John Rawlings to the Stars.
Ghana's Line Up: James Nanor, Jacob Nettey, Emmanuel Kuffuor, Princeton Owusu-Ansah/Felix Aboagye, Foster Bastious/Sani Wahab, Benard Areyee/ Nii Aryee Welbeck, Mark Edusei, Robert Boateng/Yaw Owusu, Richard Ackon/Baba Amando, Arthur Moses/Justice Ampah and Emmanuel Tetteh
Jamaica's Line Up: Lawrence Aaron, Fabian Davies, Thomaz Shavar/David Stewart, Linval Dixon, Marco MacDonald, English Irvino/Jeffrey Cunningham, Patrick Graham, Winston Griffiths, Curtis Anthony/Jermaine Johnson, Ricardo Fuller/Kendri Quarrie, Harris Wolde/Patrick Beech.
