Stars B will make it
Ghana’s Black Stars B are optimist they will overcome Burkina Faso and qualify for the 2018 Championship of African Nations (CHAN), despite playing to a tight 2-2 draw in the first leg in Ougadougou last Saturday.
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Twice the Stars took the lead but allowed the Burkinabes to equalise to leave the decision to qualify on the second leg in Kumasi next week.
Sadick Adams put Ghana ahead in the first half from a spot to after the Stars were awarded the penalty over an Abdoulaye Zongo handled a Winful Cobbinah free kick in the box.
Sylla Mohammed equalised for Burkina Faso with just seven minutes into the second half, but Gideon Waja restored Ghana’s lead finishing off calmly from a beautiful combination with Cobbinah.
The Burkinabes got the equaliser from a blunder from the Ghana defence in the dying minutes of the game, as Iliase Sawadogo weaved his way through the on-looking Ghana defence to slot home a sreamer in a game that was fiercely contested.
Despite that conceding that late goal, sssistant coach Maxwell Konadu believes the Stars will qualify for the competition to be hosted by Kenya next year.
“It was unfortunate that we had to concede a late goal.We knew it was not going to be easy against Burkina Faso, but we still have a good chance to make and we will ensure that victory is delivered when we host the second leg.
“We have taken note of the mistakes and we will work on them quickly to and get ready for the second leg,” Konadu told the media in Ouagadougou.
The Stars B, two times silver medalists of the competition, are seeking to make a return to the CHAN having missed out two years ago and will host the second leg in Kumasi next week.