Ghana has qualified for the football competition of October’s All-Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria without kicking a ball. This follows the withdrawal of Ivory Coast who were due to play the national Under 23 side, the Black Meteors, in the final qualifier on Sunday in Kumasi.

The Confederation of African football informed the Ghana Football Association yesterday that the Ivorians have decided to withdraw. No reasons were given for the late pull out.

The decision of the Ivorians means the Meteors have not played a single qualifier for the All-Africa Games following the earlier withdrawal of Liberia. The Meteors has been in camp for a week now in preparation for the game. They will play Benin in an international friendly next week Wednesday.