Black Stars’ Revive AFCON Campaign With a 3-2 Win Over Togo

A late strike form Christian Atsu gave Ghana a hard-fought 3-2 win over Togo in their AFCON 2015 qualifier on Wednesday.

Skipper Asamoah Gyan canceled out Floyd Ayite’s opener for Togo as both sides exhibited thrilling foot-workers in the first half of proceeding.

It was a frustrating start for the Black Stars who had the best chances in the first half but constantly failed to get past the Togolese goalkeeper.

Ghana’s midfielder, Agyemang Badu’s spectacular header from a cross increased the Stars’ tally in the 34 minute.

Dede Ayew during the second half of the game failed to double Ghana’s tally from a teasing cross from the right.

Togo captain, Emmanuel Adebayor’s stunning header from a free kick put the Hawks on a level pegging in the 77th minute.

However, Christian Atsu stole the well-deserved victory for Ghana in the 85th minute after he burst into the Togolose defence from nowhere with a calm finish in a five-goal thriller.

With two automatic qualification spots for grabs in each group, Togo have a chance of reaching a qualifying to the African Cup Competition once again, after they reached the quarter finals in the 2013 edition in South Africa.

Coach Kwesi Appiah made as many as five changes to his starting XI from the side that drew at home to Uganda on Saturday, with John Boye – injured on Monday – and Fatau Dauda, Jeffrey Schlupp, Rabiu Mohammed and Majeed Waris replaced by Awal Mohammed, Stephen Adams, Baba Rahman, Agyemang Badu and Jordan Ayew.

Coach Tchanile Tchakal maintained the team that lost 2-1 to Guniea on Friday.

The Black Stars now moved on to four points from two games in Group E of the AFCON qualifier.

Stephen Adams, Harrison Afful, Baba Rahman, Jonathan Mensah, Awal Mohammed, Agyemang Badu, Christian Atsu, Kwadwo Asamoah, Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew