Today in history: Ghana beat South Africa 2-0 in World Cup qualifier

On this day 18 June 2005 (Exactly 15 years ago today) Ghana beat South Africa 2-0 in a decisive FIFA World World Cup qualifying match played at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

With three points at stake for both sides, South Africa were the first off the blocks, South Africa’s veteran striker Shaun Bartlett came close with a lob and a header during an even first half while Appiah just missed the target with a sweetly struck volley.

The second half started at a furious pace – and again it was South Africa that threatened – but still could not score.

Appiah created the first goal with a run from midfield while Bafana Bafana (The Boys) appealed for offside and the Black Stars captain centred for Amoah to tap in.

South Africa threatened all afternoon but failed to convert. The longer the match progressed the more an unimaginative South African side lacking suspended striker Benni McCarthy struggled to create openings.

Ghana made sure of all three points in the 90th minute with a second goal by Michael Essien. Bafana Bafana failed to clear a free kick to the far post Essien delivered the final blow, climbing above Nasief Morris to head past goalkeeper Calvin Marlin.

South Africa :Calvin Marlin, Ricardo Katza, Aaron Mokoena (c), Nasief Morris, Lucky Lekgwathi, Delron Buckley (Arthur Zwane 85), Steven Pienaar (Katlego Mphela 90+), Mbulelo Mabizela, Benedict Vilakezi, Shaun Bartlett, Lerato Chabangu (Siyabonga Nomvethe 69)

Coach: Stuart Baxter

Ghana: George Owu, John Painstil, Daniel Edusei, Issah Ahmed, John Mensah M. Essien, L Kingston, S. Appiah, M. Amoah, JoeTex frimpong, S. Muntari

Unused Subs: Patrick Antwi, Daniel Coleman, Emmanuel Osei Yakubu Abubakari Hamza Mohammed Godwin Attram

Elsewhere;

On this day 18 June 2016 (Exactly 4 years ago today) Isaac ‘Royal Storm’ Dogboe retained his WBO African Featherweight Title against Uganda’s Edward ‘Shaka’ Kakembo after knocking him down in the sixth round in a bout staged at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Prior to the bout touted as the’ Battle of the Rising Stars’, Kakembo promise to chain Dogboe who he considered as a ‘dog’ which made the matchup a very interesting one to look forward to.

Indeed the bout did leave up to expectation as the two boxers where heated up for the contest which ended prematurely in the sixth round.

Kakembo in the early stages showed his aggressiveness despite the free flow of punches been thrown at him by the’ razzle dazzling’ Ghanaian boxer with various combination of his left and right hooks on the body of Kakembo.

Dogboe showed his determination with some blistering speed combined with technique and skill on Kakembo’s head on which he occasionally got through which made him develop a cut on his face.

Kakembo was fierce as ever, withstanding the Dogboe jabs and uppercut which were not getting through,Kakembo on various occasions complained to the referee of Dogboe hitting the back of his head which was ignored.

Dogboe was in cruise control as he executed a knowdown in the sixth round which saw Kakembo in wonder land and not being able to continue the fight.

Kakembo after the bout complained about the food he was being given prior to the fight which he said was full of vapor nonetheless he still insisted on a rematch against the Royal Storm.