Accra,Ghana, June 13,- The national under-23 soccer team, Black Meteors, struggled to beat their Tanzanian counterparts, Vijana Stars, 2-1 in their first leg Sydney 2000 Olympics Games qualifier played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
It was a poor performance by the stamina-suspect Meteors who, after barely 30 minutes of play, lost their rhythm and concentration, allowing their Tanzanians, who were initially frightened, to come out of their shells.
The sizeable fans were kept on the edge of their seats minutes after the visitors had taken over, and it came as no surprise when they registered their displeasure by booing at the players during the recess.
Germany-based Emmanuel Bentil put the Ghanians ahead in the ninth minute from a spot kick after Vijana's Kassim Issa Bedwi had handled Abubakari Yakubu's goal-bound shot.
In the 23 minute, Gambian referee Mallick Sallah ignored a second penalty for the Ghanaians, when right winger Hamza Mohammed's shot went off the hand of Mtindi Ali Kombo.
After this, the Ghanaians, especially the Europe-based ones, showed signs of tiredness, and allowed their opponents to dictate the pace. But for inexperience, the visitors could have carried the day.
They took total control of the midfield and probed the porous Meteors defence but shot wide each time they came close to scoring.
The visitors, however, managed to level up in the 49th minute when striker Abubakari Ally Mkangwa headed an in-swinger to the blind side of goalkeeper Sammy Adjei.
Awudu Issaka of the 1997 Starlets fame, who came on for Abubakari Yakubu in the 60th minute, changed the pattern of the play for the Ghanaians and created the winning goal for the Meteors.
In a characteristic manner, Issaka went through his markers but was brought down just as he was about to lay on a pass.
Joe Fameyeh headed the resultant kick by Patrick Allotey for the match winner.
The second leg is scheduled for Tanzania in two weeks' time.
Line up (Meteors): Sammy Adjei, Christian Atta Gyan, Patrick Allotey, Michael Ofori-Mensah, Kofi Amponsah/Shilla Alhassan, Hamza Mohammed, Abubakari Yakubu/ Awudu Issaka, Emmanuel Bentil/Baba Sule, Joe Fameyeh, Stephen Appiah, Bashiru Gambo.
Vijana: Amami Ally Simba/Adinami Mohamed Yusufu, Kassim Issa Badwi, Mtindi Ali Kombo, Omari Kapilima Caminero, Ally Moshi Rashid, Renatus Bonisace Njohole, Lameck Lan Sichula, Wilfred Mcgustine Kidau/Victor Aron Krowoko, Mnenge Albert Suluja, Abubakari Ally Mkangwa, Abdallah Swalele Mohamed/Ephraim Makoye Mahalas.
