Why Rubie should keep his mouth shut

A first-half goal and two more after the break were enough to hand Ghana a 3-1 win over Mozambique on Thursday.

The Black Stars now sit first on the log with nine points, six above Rwanda after three games, and are close to picking one of the 15 tickets to Gabon next January.

Here are five things Goal learned from the game...

It was a stunning start for the Anderlecht star as he needed only less than five minutes to show Avram Grant his qualities and what he has been missing.

Back out on the left wing in the absence of injured Andre Ayew, Acheampong hit a brilliant start with a goal within the first five minutes.

He left the pitch to a standing ovation at half-time and, as soon as he recovers from his injury, he must be a sure bet in Ghana's starting line.

The prospect of Acheampong and Dede in action together is a tantalising one for Black Stars supporters.

One of the most baffling aspects of the Avram Grant's reign has been his insistence on picking Fatau Dauda and Razak Brimah as goalkeepers instead of having a word with Adam Larsen Kwarasey to return from his self-imposed retirement.

Even though Kwarasey returned this week, we are being made to wait for the Norwegian-born stopper's return.

First-choice Brimah has shown countless time that his the weak link in the Ghana setup; he failed to organize his defenders again, and concedes in almost every game.

On one occasion on Thursday, he nearly gave away a goal when he lazily kicked a pass into the path of an opposing striker.

Grant must surely turn to Kwarasey at the first-possible occasion.

Who should start for Ghana against Mozambique?

Asamoah Gyan, a name that sends fear into any opponent, is gradually fading out of the picture, as injuries take their toll.

At 30, it seems he can't go a full 90 minutes without complaining of one disorder or other, and last scored for Black Stars in June last year, when Ghana brushed aside Mauritius 7-1 in Accra.

He is out of the return fixture on Sunday after missing the first leg and surely looks like he's on the path to retirement soon.

In his absence, it remains to be seen whether Jordan Ayew and Majeed Waris can fill the void. The former scored but looked lethargic in Accra, while the latter was starved of service and struggled to bring his club form to the international arena.

Mozambique can upset Ghana in Maputo

The Mambas may have lost 3-1 in Accra, but their overall performance wasn't bad.

Ghana will not have it very easy at the Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto on Sunday in the return encounter. Mozambique lost 1-0 to Rwanda and Mauritius respectively en route to Thursday's defeat, which underlined that they can't make it to Gabon.

However, with the consolation goal from Apson 'Sonito' Manjate, their hope in taking something at home during the ongoing international break has been renewed.

The Black Stars need a win in Maputo to qualify with two more games still to play, but Mozambique will be desperate to make a mark in front of their home supporters.

Avram Grant's agent Saif Rubie looks unlikely to end his war of words with the Ghanaian media anytime soon.

While the game was ongoing and with the Black Stars leading 3-1, Rubie took a swipe at the local media on Twitter for complaining earlier this month that his client don't spend quality time in the country to scout talents.

Let's see what Ghana media complain about tomorrow. Oh yes boss needs to change the color of his shirt. #foh #supportyourteam #stopthebs

— Saif Rubie (@saifpr) 24 maart 2016

Ghana media love to dish out bs but when they get a little tickle they cry like little boys. Take it as well as you dish it out. #gh #AFCON

— Saif Rubie (@saifpr) 24 maart 2016

These comments didn't go down well with the locals and they responded in their numbers.

For those who came into contact with Rubie's comments, the agent's words took more than a little shine off the Black Stars' encounter.