Good evening and welcome to the live text commentary of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between South Africa and Ghana.
The Bafana Bafana is hosting the Black Stars at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg today in a Group C clash of the qualifiers to the 2021 AFCON scheduled to be staged in Cameroon next winter.
Ahead of kick-off, Coach Molefi Ntseki has named a strong team to do battle for the South Africans.
The team is led by Brighton & Hove Albion winger Percy Tau who will have a lot to do for the team as they eye a win to go top of the standings of Group C.
Bafana Bafana starting lineup vs Ghana:
Williams, Hlatshwayo, Xulu, Maela, Hlanti, Coetzee, Jali, Morena, Zwane, Tau, Gamildien
Subs: Khune,Lebusa,Phete,Martin,Pule,Nodada,Mbule,Motshwari,Monare,Foster,Singh,Maboe
Meanwhile, Ghana head coach CK Akonnor has named debutants Emmanuel Gyasi, Kwame Poku, and Ismail Ganiu in his team’s starting eleven for the South Africa game.
Ghana starting XI v South Africa:
16. Razak Abalora 2. Benson Annan 17. Baba Abdul Rahman 4. Nicholas Opoku 28. Ismail Ganiyu 6. Afriyie Acquah 16. Kwame Opoku 11. Mubarak Wakaso 13. Caleb Ekuban 20. Mohammed Kudus 25. Emmanuel Gyasi#BlackStars #BringBackTheLove
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) March 25, 2021
Kick-off:
1' We are off at the FNB Stadium in Joberg as South Africa kicks us off for today's encounter. Who gets the first goal?
3' Mohammed Kudus picks the pocket of his marker, goes on a delightful run but his final pass to find Caleb Ekuban has too much weight. Let off there for the Bafana Bafana.
5' Chance!! South Africa should be 1-0 up. A good chance falls to Gamildien but he sees his shot brush the side net. What a miss.
7' It has been a slow start for both teams as they continue to find their rhythm. Still nothing in it.
10' South Africa so far dominating play with the lion's share of possession. Ghana appears to be happy to sit back and play on the counter.
13' Game plan of the Black Stars just not working as the Bafana Bafana continue to dominate play.
17' Mubarak Wakaso takes a corner for Ghana but it is dealt with by the South Africa defense.
19' Chance!! Hlanti finds Percy Tau with an inviting cross but the Brighton attack sees his effort go inches wide. The home team is getting closer.
22' Game is gradually shaping up as Ghana begins to open up. Certainly anybody's game to win.
25' There is now an increased tempo to the way the South Africans are playing. Ghana constantly under pressure at the FNB Stadium.
27' Percy Tau threatens again. He dances his way past multiple Ghana opponents. He lays off a good pass but it is wasted.
32' Baby Rahman stops danger man Percy Tau in his tracks. The Bafana Bafana poster boy has been lively all evening.
35' Kudus Mohammed with a magical play to initiate an attack for Ghana. Play as unfortunately halted as South Africa wins possession.
40' Game has opened up in the last five minutes. Will there be a goal before the break?
45' We will do a minute of added time.
Half-time:
We will be back after 15 minutes with updates from the second half.
Second half:
46' we are back underway at the FNB Stadium for the second half of the AFCON qualifier between South Africa and Ghana. It is the Black Stars that kicks us off.
49' There is the breakthrough. Mohammed Kudus breaks the deadlock to give the Black Stars the lead.
52' That was fast. Percy Tau scores with a fine finish to draw level for the Bafana Bafana. Game on.
54' Free-kick for South Africa in a dangerous position. The Ghana wall stands firm as the ball is cleared to safety.
60' The tempo of the game has dragged in the last five minutes. Still, anybody's game to win.
63' Caleb Ekuban is down injured and requires medical attention. Fortunately, he is good to continue.
65' A series of bad passes from the Black Stars sees the Bafana Bafana easily take control.
70' Looks like Ghana coach CK Akonnor is preparing a second change.
72' Midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey replaces attacker Caleb Ekuban.
75' Ghana enjoying a chunk of possession. It has been an improved performance in these last few minutes.
77' CHANCE!! Afriyie Acquah tries his luck from distance but misses the target.
80' Ghana with another chance but referees brings back play after spotting an infringement.
85' We are now in the final five minutes of this Group C clash. Will there be a winner?
88' Change for Ghana. Debutant Emmanuel Gyasi comes off for striker Emmanuel Boateng.
90' We will do two minutes of added time.
Full-time.
It is all over at the FNB Stadium. South Africa shares the spoils with Ghana.