Ghana will miss the 2018 Africa Nations Championships in Kenya after Burkina Faso shockingly beat the Black Stars B in the final qualifier at the Baba Yara stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Stallions of Burkina Faso beat the Black Stars B 2-1 to book a place in year’s CHAN tournament in Kenya.
Maxwell Konadu’s side thronged to Kumasi with the high hopes after the 2-2 draw in Ouagadougou but it didn’t materialize as Ghana fail to qualify for the Champions of African Nation in succession.
The Stars begun the game in dominant style, dictating and pressing the Burkinabes but the Stallions strike against the run of play. Sylla Mohammed goal-bound effort took a deflection to fetch Burkina’s first goal.
Ghana regained control of the tie with Hearts of Oak’s Winful Cobbinah in the thick of affairs but Stallions cushioned their lead with quick counter attack.
The Stars’ lost consideration in defense and Niekiema Herman stood up in the 28th to put the game beyond the reach of the home side.
Hearts of Oak and Elmina Sharks’ Thomas Abbey and Felix brought urgency in Ghana’s play in the second half but the latter’s 67th goal was woefully inadequate as bow out to 3-4 aggregate.
Burkina Faso join the list of already qualified countries for the next year’s tournament.
The loss was Ghana’s first on home soil since 2000 and will lead to major question-marks not just about Konadu, but also about his boss Kwesi Appiah.
Nigeria on Saturday qualified for the finals after a 2-1 aggregate win over Benin.
Ghana starting XI against Burkina- Faso
Joseph Addo
Daniel Darkwah [Capt]
Amos Frimpong
Musah Nuhu
Ahmed Adams
Gideon Waja
Isaac Twum
Winful Cobbina
Patrick Razak
Saddick Adams
Richmond Lamptey
Subs.
Felix Annan
Samuel Sarfo
Vincent Atinga
Thomas Abbey
Zakaria Mumuni
Felix Addo
Ampiah Emmanuel
