Accra Hearts of Oak talisman, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh fired the Black Meteors to victory in their 2023 TotalEnergies U23 AFCON qualifier first leg clash against Mozambique at the Estadio do Zimpeto in Maputo.
Coach Ibrahim Tanko lined-up with Asante Kotoko goalkeeper, Ibrahim Danlad with Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Sylvester Simba, Suraj Seidu, Abbey Ashie Quaye, Clinton Duodu and others.
Ghana had a positive start to the game and missed couple of chances in the first ten minutes but Barnieh kept the Mozambicans defense busy. He nearly scored the opener during the 30th minute.
However, Mozambique were no pushovers and had several half-chances to get themselves back into the match but it was Ghana’s day.
Ghana struggled to get going, but it was their talisman, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh who earned his side the maximum points with brace.
He stepped up himself and scored the opener from the spot in the 63rd minute before finishing Ghana’s 2-1 away win during the 76th minute.
The hosts also pressed right to the end and pulled one back from a rebound during the 88th minute but Ghana fought to secure jubilant celebrations from the first leg.
The Black Galaxies are in search for the ticket to the next edition of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Should they be victorious or draw in the return leg they will face the winner of Algeria vs. DR Congo in the next round.
Ghana will host the East African side in the second leg on 30th October, 2022 at the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
