Competition : 2010 CAN/World Cup qualifiers
Teams: Ghana v Sudan
Match Venue: Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra
Date: 6 September 2009
Result: Ghana 2 Sudan 0
Ghana became the first African nation to make it to the World Cup finals as they defeated Sudan 2-0 in the Group D qualifiers in Accra.
With Benin having held Mali to a 1-1 draw in Cotonou, Ghana needed a win to qualify for the 2010 showpiece in South Africa.
A first half strike by Sulley Muntari set the Black Stars up as Michael Essien followed up with a fierce shot in the second period to help the four-time African champions book their tickets to travel for South Africa next year.
Victory at the Ohene Djan Stadium also booked a place for Ghana in next year’s Nations Cup as the Fifa World Cup qualifiers serve to determine the field for the continental championship with the top three finishers in each group qualifying for Angola.
The win confirmed Ghana's qualification even with two matches left to play in the African qualifying series as the Black Stars have kept a clean sheet after four games.
Ghana started attacking Sudan from the start, Matthew Amoah having an effort blocked, Essien missing narrowly and Stephen Appiah seeing his shot tipped round the post to rouse the home crowd.
The Sudanese never threatened rather they amassed more men behind the ball as Ghana maintained possession but found it difficult penetrating.
Ghana were given a scare when a back pass to goalkeeper Kingson slipped under his boots but he was quick to clear it off his line.
But after 14 minutes, Ghana were in the driving seat as Muntari run onto a pass from Stephen Appiah to score in the 14th minute past Sudan goalkeeper Hafez Ahmed.
Ghana’s defence build around John Mensah and Eric Addo pulled John Paintsil and Harrison Afful together as they were hardly threatened to end the half 1-0 for the Black Stars.
Both sides returned to pitch for the second half with Ghana mounting the attack as Samuel Inkoom, playing on the right side of attack kept on pushing forward.
The Black Stars picked up two bookings, going to Muntari and Appiah.
Six minutes into the start of the second half and Michael Essien doubled Ghana's lead when he unleashed a 20 yard strike from outside the box to make it 2-0.
But Sudan sprung into life as they threatened Ghana just two minutes after the Black Stars' goal.
A slip by John Mensah saw a Sudanese take control and with Richard Kingson off his line, the attacker lifted the ball but the Ghana goalkeeper managed to tip it out of goal.
Stephen Appiah was the first Ghanaian change as the captain was given a rousing applause as he made way for Laryea Kingston after 75 minutes having successfully captained the Black Stars qualify again for a World Cup finals.
As proceedings neared the final minutes, the fans packed into the Stadium started the Mexican wave with yet success recorded.
Milovan Rajevac made a second change sending on Asamoah Gyan for Matthew Amoah with Haminu Draman replacing Sulley Muntari.
With qualification now in the bag the Black Stars can begin plotting their assault on a second successive World Cup finals.
Milovan Rajevac can be content in the knowledge that he has managed to get the best out of his ‘wonderful group’: “We have a good group of talented players who know the situation which we find ourselves in. The most important aspect of this game is to achieve success.
“I need to say, I have a very good group. We have had results and still need to have results.
“They (players) like their country and realize what it means to play for the jersey.”
“It’s a priceless honour for them to represent their country and qualify for a big competition like the World Cup. This team is very hungry to go again (a second World Cup appearance).
“They are aware of what they can achieve and they have the quality to go on and on. I strongly believe we would make it. I am very confident,” he said.
Line up: Richard Kingston, John Paintsil, Harrison Afful, Eric Addo, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Samuel Inkoom, Michael Essien, Matthew Amoah/Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah/Laryea Kingston and Sulley Muntari/Haminu Draman
Substitutes: William Amamoo, Opoku Agyemang, Isaac Vorsah, Laryea Kingston, Asamoah Gyan, Haminu Draman and Derek Boateng