2017 AFCON: Ghana hammering of Mauritius moves Black Stars to top Group H in qualifiers

Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with Whatsapp

Image caption Asamoah Gyan celebrates with Jordan Ayew after the latter provided an assist

Ghana moved to the top of Group H of the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign thanks to their hammering of Mauritius in Accra on Sunday.

Advertisement

The Black Stars secured a perfect start to their qualifying campaign after beating the Southern Africans 7-1 in the West African nation's capital.

The Ghanaian team is currently sharing the group summit with Rwanda because of a superior goal difference as the latter defeated Mozambique 1-0 in Maputo in the opening qualifiers.

Ghana scored seven goals against hapless Mauritius on a poor Accra playing surface with Jordan Ayew and Asamoah Gyan bagging braces in a 7-1 Group H romp that was not unexpected.

The absence of injured playmaker Andre Ayew was barely felt as Ghana built a 5-1 half-time advantage with goalkeeper Kevin Jean-Louis helpless to prevent most of the goals.

Advertisement

Christian Atsu, voted the Most Valuable Player of the 2015 Cup of Nations in which Ghana finished runners-up behind the Ivory Coast, opened the scoring on 10 minutes.

Leicester City defender Jeffrey Schlupp and David Accam were the other Black Stars scorers and Andy Sophie netted for Mauritius when his side were trailing by four goals.

Egypt, who have won four AFCON trophies, will return to action on 4 September when they face Rwanda in the qualifiers' second round.