A first half strike on the stroke of halftime by midfielder Rabiu Mohammed was just not enough as Ghana’s Under-23 lost 3-1 against Nigeria in an All Africa Games final qualifying round first leg tie.
The Udinese player struck from a melee to shock the Dream Team V but has responded in smashing fashion at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium,in Benin City. Villarreal ace Mubarak Wakaso glided in a cross from the left flank and the Nigeria defence struggled to clear.
Nigeria scored three times in the second half to cancel Ghana's lead.The Meteors must now score two unanswered goals in the return leg at home to qualify for the All African Games slatted for Maputo, Mozambique in September. The Meteors failed to qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Ghana’s starting line-up: Daniel Agyei-Jonathan Mensah, David Addy, Daniel Addo, Daniel Opare-Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu, Afriyie Acquah, Rabiu Mohammed, Samuel Inkoom, Mubarak Wakaso-Dominic Adiyiah.
Subs: Joe Addo, Jordan Ayew, Gladson Awako, Richard Mpong, William Owusu Acheampong, Isaac Cofie, Ahmed Adams. Subs: Joe Addo, Jordan Ayew, Gladson Awako, Richard Mpong, William Owusu Acheampong, Isaac Cofie, Ahmed Adams.
