Good evening and welcome to the live text coverage of the match between the Ghana U23 and the Algeria U23 team.
The two youth national teams of the countries locked horns last Friday in the first leg of the clash in the final round of the CAF U23 AFCON qualifiers.
At the end of the game played in Algeria, the Black Meteors secured an important 1-1 draw away from home.
This evening, the second leg of the encounter is being staged at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
This is how the Black Meteors lineup for the start of the game:
📋 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 ! 🚨
Black Meteors’ side to face Algeria 🇩🇿 #BlackMeteors | #GHAALG | #AFCONU23Q pic.twitter.com/1LFpzUzl9V
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) March 28, 2023
We are less than an hour away from kickoff at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
First Half:
𝗞𝗜𝗖𝗞-𝗢𝗙𝗙: We’re Underway at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium !
6’ A positive start to the game so far! Fatawu Issahaku hits the crossbar.
10' We have played 10 minutes in this first half.
12' Goal!!! Ghana takes the lead. Abdul Fatawu Issahaku scores with a header after heading home a strike from Ernest Nuamah.
14' It has been Ghana dominating play since the start of the game.
15' Great play from Ernest Nuamah down the left side of the Black Meteors attack.
20' We will have a small water break. Whiles at it we can see the Ghana fans singing and chanting to spur on the Black Meteors.
22' The game has resumed now. Can Ghana hold on to qualify for the 2023 CAF U23 AFCON?
25' The Algerians are gradually growing into the game as Ghana's pace on the contest drops.
27' Algeria midfielder Aymen goes past three Ghana players, he however dives and goes into the books of the referee.
30' Ghana 1-0 Algeria.
32' Ernest Nuamah capitalises on his blistering pace. Runs down the line after a counter-attack but his cross goes over the bar.
35' The Algerians are gradually growing in confidence. They win a free-kick but it is wasted.
37' Another glorious chance falls to Daniel Afriyie Barnieh. He attempts to square the ball to Abdul Fatawu Issahaku but the last Algeria defender is in the way. That move should have resulted in a goal.
40' We are into the final five minutes of the game.
42' CHANCE!! Fatawu Issahaku fires a shot from range but the Algeria goalkeeper is alert and pulls off a great save.
45' We will do two minutes of injury time.
45+1' Abdul Fatawu Issahaku with another bullet shot. The Algeria goalkeeper once again is equal to the task.
Halftime: That will be all for the first half. We will be back in 15 minutes for the second half.
Second half:
46' We are back underway at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Will there be more goals?
48 Looks like we are in for a treat. The second half has started with impressive end-to-end stuff.
50' Abdul Fatawu Issahaku attempts to score from the centre circle. There is too much power in his shot which flies over the bar.
52' Algeria now playing with low intensity. They need to up their game to get back into the game.
53' Ernest Nuamah has been a joy to watch in this evening's contest. His pace, dribbling, and intelligent play must have been noticed by Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton who is in the stands.
55' The Ghana attack continues to push for a second goal but failed to convert the chances being created.
60' We have done an hour in today's U23 AFCON qualifiers.
65' Ghana 1-0 Algeria.
70' Ghana with an injury concern. Tricky forward Ernest Numah has picked a knock and has been stretched off.
72' We will have another quick water break before the game continues.
75' The intensity of the game has dropped in the last 10 minutes. Ghana however enjoys the bigger share of possession.
79' Another chance for Ghana. Nuamah goes past his man and sets up Afriyie Barnieh but his shot is blocked.
81' Daniel Afriyie Barnieh is off, he is replaced by Emmanuel Yeboah.
85' Emmanuel Yeboah has been a threat since his introduction. Great prospect and one to watch.
87' Aaron Essel tries a long-range effort in an attempt to double the lead for Ghana but his effort goes over the bar.
90' We will do four minutes of additional time.
Fulltime: It's all over at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Ghana has qualified to the 2023 AFCON to be hosted in Morocco.