The Black Stars of Ghana Sunday beat their Libyan counterparts, the Greens, 3-0 in the 2010 World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifiers played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.
The match, a double header qualifier for South Africa 2010 and Angola 2010, saw the Libyans getting out of the blocks early but missed three begging chances on the trot to let the home team off the hook.
The Black Stars woke up from their slumber soon after the early scare and threat ened the North Africans, whose goalkeeper and skipper, Samir Abdou, stood tall and thwarted the incursions of the home team.
On 10 minutes, Ghana had a clear chance to snatch the opener but Anthony Annan headed wide from a good position.
The stadium, however, came alive on 16 minutes when Saudi Arabia-based Prince Tagoe, who was returning to the team after about two years, spiked home the opener despite a tight challenge by the Libyans.
Michael Essien picked the ball in midfield and threaded a pass to Manuel Junior Agogo, who sent it onto the path of advancing Tagoe. The attacker was quick to the ball, defying a fierce challenge from Nadar Abdelsalam and on-rushing goalkeeper Abdou before hitting the target from a tight angle.
The Libyans had their time and went forward occasionally but the Ghanaian defence stood firm and denied them scoring opportunities.
When the second half commenced, the Ghanaians gave an early indication of their willingness to triumph as they attacked their opponents in bursts.
The surge paid off when Agogo increased the count for the home side with a clinical header before the hour mark.
John Paintsi won the ball on the right and raced forward before picking Agogo with a perfect cross that met the head of the gangling striker and sailed into the net, giving Abdouno chance at all.
As the game progressed, it became clearer that Ghana would score again as the Libyans appeared tired and disinterested in fighting any longer. And true to expectation, the Black Stars went three up on 64 minutes with a picturesque goal scored by Laryea Kingson.
A long, searching ball from the left found the Hearts of Scotland-based player who volleyed past Abdou in grand style to cushion Ghana’s lead.
The Ghanaians pressed harder thereafter but failed to add any more goals to their tally, while the Libyans went close on countless occasions in the final embers of the game, but lack of precision denied them any chance of reducing the scores. Panapress .
