World Cup qualifying: Big win for Ghana

Ghana annihilated minnows Lesotho 7-0 in their opening 2014 African World Cup qualifying game on Friday.

The home win in Kumasi will give Ghana a significant boost ahead of their next game against Zambia.

Captain Sulley Muntari opened the floodgates in the 15th minute with Arsenal Kyiv’s Dominic Adiyiah and Jordan Ayew of Olympique Marseille both scoring a goal in each half as Ghana led 3-0 at half-time.

Newcomer Christian Atsu of Rio Ave and Jerry Akaminko scored late goals to give coach Kwesi Appiah his first major victory since assuming reins as head coach.

Ghana dominated possession throughout the game with their goalkeeper Adams Kwarasey virtually a spectator.

Meanwhile, in Alexandria, second half goals from Mahmoud Fathallah and Mohamed Zidan allowed Egypt to overcome a nervous start against Mozambique.

As expected, Egypt took control from the outset but their early attacks lacked incision as players such as Mohamed Salah and Geddo tried their luck from distance without success.

Mozambique took the match to their opponents after the interval, with their coach clearly intent on putting Egypt under pressure instead of absorbing all of it.

However, the strategy backfired as it only took 10 minutes for Egypt to open their account after Ahmed Hegazi headed down an Abd-Rabo cross for Fathallah to score with a lunging kick.

Egypt sealed the win in the 63rd minute when Ahmed Temsah assisted substitute striker Zidan who blasted a shot onto the post that deflected off keeper Kapango’s back.