Ghana forced Algeria to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final round of qualifiers at 19 Mai 1956 Stadium in Annaba on Friday night.
Both sides played cautiously in the opening half looking for opportunities to break down each other but there were no such chances as the first half ended 0-0.
Algeria were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute, but goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim made a brilliant save to keep the game level.
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku scored a sensational goal from the centre circle with a powerful strike that zoomed into the net. This was in the 83rd minute.
I wasn't able to register my name on the score sheet yesterday but my bro???? @AbdulFatawuI10 made it happen yesterday at Annaba, Algeria. That sublime goal????. My home Baba Yara stadium is up next ????.
#IZ38 #CoachTanko #U23AFcoNQ #Kumasi>> #JahSettings @Team_GhanaWomen pic.twitter.com/5xEmtx8Zxy— Ibrahim Zubairu (@IZubairu_18) March 25, 2023
The Black Meteors could not hang on to the lead as they gave away another penalty which was converted to restore parity.
There is plenty to play for in the 2nd leg scheduled for the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
The aggregate winner qualifies for the Afcon in Morocco in June. The 2023 U-23 Afcon will serve as a qualifying tournament for football at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Africa has three automatic slots with the fourth-placed team getting a playoff chance against an Asian opponent.
Ghana last featured at the Olympics in 2004, hosted by Athens.
