The febrile atmosphere in Ghana ahead of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia on Sunday has dissolved into relief following the 2-0 win over the Walias, which moved the Black Stars to second place in Group F ahead of the final matchday against leaders Kenya.
If the qualification campaign were to end today, Ghana would be among the 24 teams to take part in the competition holding in Cameroon next June / July.
Group F has been reduced to a two-horse race involving Kenya and Ghana, as Ethiopia no longer have any official match to play following Fifa’s suspension on Sierra Leone.
It is near impossible to have the Leone Stars back in the qualifiers to honour the three earlier forfeited games as well as the final matchday fixture against Ethiopia, with just one international break left, in March, before the Afcon finals.
The Walias appear to have played their final game of the qualifiers and no longer have the possibility of improving on their four points to remain in contention.
Although still topping the group with seven points, Kenya are now one point above Ghana, who currently boast of six.
If no development emerges from Fifa concerning Sierra Leone, both aforementioned teams would claim the two qualification berths irrespective of the outcome of the final clash which will take place in Ghana.
However, there could be a shuffle if the Black Stars succeed in taking their revenge on the Harambee Stars who walked home taller in the first leg.
Kenya would drop to second position with their eight points still intact though while Ghana would move to top with nine points.
In the event of a draw, the actual standing would remain but with one point added to each side.
Amongst the competing three in the group, Ghana are likely to play one match lesser due to the cancellation of the double header against Sierra Leone, whereas Kenya and Ethiopia played one game each against the Leone Stars before the team was suspended.
In all, Kenya and Ethiopia would total five games played while Ghana would finish with four.
Source: Goal.com