Ghana captain Andre Ayew is proud of home-based players following their exploits before and during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.
The Black Stars defeated Sao Tome and Principe 3-1 in the final round of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Amiens defender Nicholas Opoku shot ahead after heading home a well-taken freekick by Ajax star Mohammed Kudus after 12 minutes into the game.
Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayewd doubled the lead from the spot before Abdul Baba Rahman extended the lead to 3-0 with an easy tap in goal.
Goalkeeper Razak Abalora gifted the visitors a goal after Jokceleny Fernandes Carvalho capitalized on a goalkeeping howler to grab a consolation.
Ghana ends Group C as winners on 13 points and book qualification alongside Sudan who dished out a 2-0 win over South Africa.
Prior to the qualifiers, coach Charles Kwabla Akonnor handed as many as 12 home-based players call up into the national team of which five made their debut in the final round of the qualifiers.
And the Swansea City vice captain says he is proud of the local players and has therefore urged them to keep working hard to be able to get to where they deserve.
“South Africa was a tough game. The locals started and played really well. They gave us a point to put us one point in Cameroon. And I want to congratulate the whole squad.” He said
“As for today, am just proud of them (home-based players). All of them is their dream to play for the Black Stars as it is always my dream. When I wear the jersey am more than happy and as soon as I get a call-up. So I am very proud of them and am sure they are proud of themselves, their families are proud of them. And they have to keep working. As long as they keep working we don’t know how but the chances will come.”
