Ghana's Black Sharks defeated Mozambique 5-3 in a fierce classification match to earn fifth place in the Beach Soccer African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with an impressive display of talent and tenacity.
After placing seventh in the 2015 and 2016 Beach Soccer AFCONs, this is Ghana's best performance in the competition.
The match, played on Thursday, showcased the prowess of Ghana's star player, Alexander Adjei, who netted a remarkable hat-trick, bringing his tournament total to 11 goals and earning him the Man of the Match award.
From the outset, Ghana set the pace, with Wise Nyamadi opening the scoring early in the first period. His first goal came just two minutes in, capitalising on a defensive error from Mozambique.
The momentum continued as Ghana's relentless offence pressured the Mozambican defence, leading to two more goals before the end of the first period.
Mozambique, undeterred by the early deficit, fought back valiantly. They found the net twice in quick succession during the second period, narrowing Ghana's lead and igniting hopes of a comeback.
But Ghana's two-goal lead was restored when Adjei, the tournament's top scorer, scored again, displaying his outstanding form.
As the match progressed, both teams exchanged chances in a frenetic third period. Mozambique's efforts to close the gap were met with staunch resistance from Ghana's defence.
Ghana scored their fifth goal in the closing minutes with a spectacular long-range attempt that gave the Mozambican goalie no chance.
Ghana's decisive victory at the end of the game cemented the country's standing as a powerful force in African beach soccer.
In addition to showcasing his individual skill, Alexander Adjei's outstanding performance in the competition emphasised the team's concerted effort throughout the competition.
Daniel Kotey Neequaye, Ghana's coach, commended the team's skill and tenacity while highlighting the significance of the win as they aim to build on it in upcoming tournaments.
"This victory is a result of our diligence and hard work. We got here as a team, but Alex's incredible performance was essential," he said after the game.
As the tournament concludes, Ghana can take pride in their performance, with eyes now set on preparations for subsequent competitions, where the Black Sharks will aim to climb even higher in the ranks of African beach soccer.
Defending Champions Senegal will face Mauritania in the final match on Saturday, October 26, 2024 after the third-place playoff match between hosts Egypt and Morocco.
