Story: News Desk
Ghana’s Black Galaxies suffered elimination from the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a 2-0 defeat to Niger in their quarterfinal tie on Saturday night.
A deflection off Konadu Yiadom in the first half and Soumana Hainikoye well-taken solo goal were enough to ensure Ghana crashed out of the competition.
Niger took the lead after just 11 minutes played after finding their way through the Black Galaxies defence.
It was the third time Ghana had conceded the first goal in a game at the competition as it did in games against Madagascar and Sudan.
Despite efforts to draw level before the break, Annor Walker’s men could barely threaten the opposition’s goalkeeper.
After the recess, Hainikoye gave Niger a perfect start to the second 45 minutes of the game.
The forward doubled the lead with a well-taken curler on the edge of Ghana’s box beyond the reach of goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad.
Having seen his team go down by two goals, Walker introduced Gladson Awako and a host of players others into the game but those changes did very little have effect on the game.
The game ended 2-0 with Niger booking a place in the last four of the competition while the Black Galaxies exit.
The elimination also adds to Ghana’s failed attempts to clinch the CHAN tournament since its inception in 2009.
Ghanaian will receive a prize money of $400,000 from CAF for finishing as quarter-finalist.
Algeria, Senegal, Madagascar and Niger are the four teams in the semifinals of the competition being played in Algeria.