Ghana have secured qualification for the next Africa Cup of Nations after they recorded a 2-1 win over Central African Republic at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Thursday evening.

The Black Stars looked under threat when the Wild Beasts’ Louis Mafouta put the visitors ahead midway through the first half, but new West Ham United signing Mohammed Kudus struck direct from a free kick shortly before the interval, and a late tap-in from Ernest Appiah secured a deserved but hard-earned victory.

The result ensures Ghana finish top of Group E with 12 points and they are joined in qualification for next year’s continental tournament by Angola, who recorded a 0-0 draw with Madagascar in a concurrent game in Lubango.

CAR had the first notable effort on goal, with forward Goduine Koyalipou shooting on target from range, but his effort was tipped over the bar by Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi.

And the Wild Beasts continued to grow in confidence, claiming the lead in the 25th minute: Christopher Youga played a fine ball over the top which allowed Louis Mafouta to round the on-rushing Ati-Zigi and steer the ball into an empty net for 1-0.

The Black Stars found a better attacking rhythm after going behind and were able to claim an equaliser in the 43rd minute via Mohammed Kudus, who struck directly from a free kick and saw his shot turned onto the post and ultimately into the back of the net by CAR goalkeeper Geoffrey Lembet.

The first half closed with the score at 1-1, while CAR made a substitution at the start of the second stanza by introducing Severin Tatolna.

The hosts had several promising attack forays in the opening quarter hour after the restart, but were unable to force Lembet into any notable action, while the away side relied on the counter attack to pose a threat.

As the match wore on and Ghana closed in on guaranteed qualification, some nerves settled in for the hosts, especially when a cross-shot from Jean Michael Yangao almost put the visitors back in the lead with just under 10 minutes to play.

However, the Black Stars eased any concerns with a second goal on 88 minutes, as Antoine Semenyo robbed a defender of possession and teed up Ernest Appiah for a tap-in which secured the victory and place at the Afcon finals in early 2024.

Ghana (1) 2 (Kudus 43’, Appiah 88’)

Central African Republic (1) 1 (Mafouta 25’)

GHANA: Ati-Zigi, Seidu, Aidoo, Djiku, Rahman (Mensah 69’), Owusu (Iddrisu 90+3’), Abdul Samed, Bukari (Appiah 63’), J. Ayew, Kudus, Williams (Semenyo 69’)

CAR: Lembet, Yangao, Ndobe, Guinari, Yapende (Tompte 90’), Baboula (Majouga 57’), Pirioua (Urie 83’), Youga, Namnganda (Tatolna 46’), Koyalipou, Mafouta