Wakaso strike gives Ghana 1-0 win over Cape Verde

Ghana defeated Cape Verde 1-0 in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations warm-up in Portugal on Wednesday.

Mubarak Wakaso’s match winner was his first senior goal for the Black Stars.

Despite the game being a warm-up fixture ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, it simply presented Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah an opportunity to run the rule over a host of players as he prepares to name his team for the next year’s competition.

Kwesi Appiah named a starting team that saw 19-year-old Inter Milan player Joseph Duncan make his Ghana debut several players on the fringes getting the chance to impress before he names his squad for next year’s tournament in South Africa.

The Black Stars dominated the first-half with some quick passing which confounded the Blue Sharks on several occasions.

On the few occasions when the Blues Sharks threatened they found the Ghanaian central defensive pair of Jerry Akaminko and Lee Addy in good form while goalkeeper Fatau Dauda was hardly tested.

But Fatau’s opposite number, Josimar Evora Dias had more on his hands, dealing after creating many scoring chances.

Dias stopped Derek Boateng’s powerful shot from the edge of the box.

Four minutes after Nana Kwesi Asare failed to connect Albert Adomah’s cross, Cape Verde goalkeeper Dias was called to action again when he gathered a ferocious shot from Wakaso who had been set up by Majeed Waris.

But the agile Dias could not stop Wakaso’s second low drive in the 64th after striker Richmond Boakye Yiadom back-heeled the ball in his path.

Another attempt from Wakaso, four minutes later missed target narrowly.

This is the last match for the Black Stars before coach Kwesi Appiah names his squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Ghana have been drawn in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations to face DR Congo, Mali and Niger.

Source: Ghana FA