Ghana beat Algeria in Olympic qualifier

Ghana's Black Meteors beat the Young Desert Warriors of Algeria 2-0 in their second-leg Olympic qualifying match played at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Two goals one in each half scored by Ishmael Addo in the 38th minute and Kwadwo Poku in the 77th minute respectively secured Ghana the win.

The Algerians, determined to secure an away drawn game, packed their defence in order to defend the 1-0 win chalk over the Ghanaians in Algiers last month.

The Ghanaians took early control of the game after referee Aguidissou Crespin of Benin whistled for hostilities to begin and nearly got the opener in the fifth minute but Ibrahim Abdul Razak missed the post narrowly.

The Algerians counter attacked and in the 16th minute, Guerround Medhi shot wide.

The visitors put the Ghanaian defence under sustained pressure and in one of their swift attacks, Daniel Coleman who in 24th minute deliberately handled the ball to prevent the Algerians from scoring was shown the yellow card.

The Algerians again came close to finding the opener in the 26th minute but Bensaid Adlene's header went straight unto the safe hands of goalkeeper George Owu in goal for the Meteors.

The Meteors after the early scare took over control of the game and carried the game to their opponents and nearly had the opener in the 29th minute but Ishmael Addo's header was saved while Razak Pimpong also missed an opportunity in the 33rd minute.

The Meteors were however not to be denied a goal as Ishmael Addo shot Ghana into the lead in the 38th minute from Abubakari Yahuza's free kick.

After the recess, Kwadwo Poku took over from Razak Pimpong while Don Bortey came in for Ishmael Addo in the 56th and 62nd minutes respectively to strengthen the attack of the Meteors.

The Algerians, determined to hold the Meteors continued to pack their defence with the substitution of Bougueche Hadji for Medhi in the 64th minute and replacing Donquera Madjid for Yehlef Mohammed in the 65th minute.

The Meteors in their determination to carry the day piled on pressure on the visitors with the attack spearheaded by Charles Taylor who was a thorn in the flesh of the Algerians dribbling two defenders in a roll in the 71st minute but his finishing shot was deflected to corner.

The Algerians were reduced to 10 men when Bensaid Adlene was shown the red card in the 72nd minute for dissent having received a yellow card in the 36th minute.

With the Meteors still probing for more goals, Kwadwo Poku made victory certain when he scored the second goal in the 77th minute with a close range shot to send the teeming home fans into ecstasy.

The Meteors from then on took control of the game and Coach Mariano Barreta determined to make a good impression on his first outing, brought on Yakubu Shaibu for Abdul Razak in the 83rd minute in a bid for more goals.

The Algerians however soaked the pressure and occasionally counter attacked in the dying minutes of the game in an effort to reduce the tally but found the Meteors defence unyielding till final whistle of the referee to end proceedings that put the Meteors in a better qualifying mood.

Summary

Kumasi: Ghana 2 Algeria 0 (Ishmeal Addo, Kojo Poku)
Chingola: Zambia 2 South Africa 1

 Standings    P W D L F A Pts 
 1. Ghana     4 2 1 1 3 1 7 
 2. Zambia    4 2 1 1 3 2 7 
 3. Algeria   4 2 0 2 3 6 6 
 4. S. Africa 4 1 0 3 5 5 3

Next Matches
13 Mar 04 South Africa v Ghana
13 Mar 04 Zambia v Algeria