At a packed Education City Stadium on Monday, Mohammed Kudus scored twice to help Ghana defeat South Korea 3-2 in a World Cup Group H thriller, keeping the Black Stars in the hunt for a spot in the round of 16.
Mohammed Salisu scored from close range after South Korea failed to clear a free kick in the 24th minute against the flow of play, and Mohammed Kudus added a second with a glancing header to give the African team a 2-0 halftime lead.
However, South Korea stormed back with two audacious headers by Cho Gue-sung, three minutes apart, to tie the score.
Kudus scored the game-winning goal in the 68th minute by slipping past a diving Kim Seung-gyu while unmarked in the penalty area.
Ghana, the 61st-ranked team in the competition, shared first place in the group with Portugal on three points, followed by Uruguay and South Korea on one point each. Later on Monday, Portugal and Uruguay will compete.
Meanwhile, the captain of the Black Stars has stated that their goal is to advance from Group H of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, not just beat Uruguay.
The current Ghanaian team’s goal, according to Al Sadd forward Andre Ayew, is to represent West Africa with pride at the international competition.
After being eliminated from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by Uruguay in the quarterfinal round, Ghana and the entire African continent endured heartbreaking times.
Asamoah Gyan failed to capitalize on a penalty that the Black Stars were awarded after Luis Suarez handballed late in extra time, which proved to be the game’s determining factor.
