The Senior National soccer team, the Black Stars have rounded up a tough but thrilling experience of qualifying for the 19th edition of the FIFA World Cup and African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with a 2-2 draw against their Malian counterparts at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.
2010 World Cup finalist, Ghana, who became the first African nation to qualify to the World Cup finals from Group D in September, went into the final game two points clear at the top but four ahead of the Malians.
The Black Stars, have already secured their place at the CAF African Cup of Nations, due to kick off in Angola in January.
Rajevac’s team was 2-0 winners in the reverse fixture in Bamako back in June and the Serbian failed to complete a double on Stephen Keshie’s side, but resulted to settling the score with each team bagging a single point. The Malians took the lead in the first half after 24 minutes through Lassane Fane.
The Black Stars drew level in the 65th minute after recess through Matthew Amoah when he reacted quickest to tap in a shot after a Michael Essien shot which left Mali's goalkeeper Mahamadou Sidibe crawling for the ball.
However, Ghana's equaliser lasted till the 69th minute as Tenema Ndiaye headed a cross from the right to the far post of Richard Kingson putting the Malians ahead again. Anthony Annan had his debut goal in the second half which canceled out Tenema Ndiaye's strikes for Mali. The Black Stars all came from behind to tie the game which finished 2-2.
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac made his first change as captain Stephen Appiah came off for Kwadwo Asamoah after 62 minutes. Rajevac handed Lee Addy and Agyemang Badu their first senior caps as they came on for Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien. Mali finished in third place - one point adrift of Benin - but they will still play in January's African Nations Cup. Ghana however finished top of the African Group D standings with 13 points.
Line-up:
Richard Kingson-John Paintsil,Eric Addo,Samuel Inkoom, Jonathan Quartey-Michael Essien,Stephen Appiah,Sulley Muntari,Anthony Annan-Mathew Amoah and Asamoah Gyan.
Substitutes:
Daniel Agyei-Isaac Vorsah, Lee Arday, Emamanuel Agyeman-Badu, Dominic Adiyiah, Dede Ayew and Kwadwo Asamoah.
