Ghana’s Black Stars will go into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar full of confidence after beating Switzerland 2-0 in Abu Dhabi, thanks to goals from Mohammed Salisu and Antoine Semenyo.
Salisu and Semenyo joined the Black Stars this year after the four-time African champions qualified for the World Cup, but they were both included in the 26-man squad and proved their inclusions were well-deserved on Thursday.
Salisu headed home the opening goal in the 70th minute, and Semenyo smashed home from close range four minutes later to seal a morale-boosting victory for the Black Stars as they prepare for the World Cup which begins this weekend.
Thursday’s performance marked a significant improvement over what was seen in September against Brazil and Nicaragua. Otto Addo’s team lived up to Ghanaians’ high expectations and deserved to win.
Inaki Wiliams headed over the bar from close range in the 32nd minute, the Black Stars’ first real chance, before Salisu squandered a great opportunity just before halftime.
Salisu, however, made up for it in the second half. The Southampton defender reacted quickly in the box to head home the opener, sending Ghanaian fans at the Zayed Sports City Stadium into a frenzy.
It was soon two for Ghana. After a brilliant play on the left by Kamaldeen Sulemana, Semenyo found himself in the right place to rifle the ball low into the middle of the net.
Switzerland had their chances, the best of which fell to Okafor, whose curling effort went just over the crossbar.
Ghana have now won two consecutive games for the first time since beating Zimbabwe twice in a row in the World Cup qualifiers in October 2021.
Ghana will continue to train in Abu Dhabi before travelling to Qatar, where they will play their first game against Portugal on November 24.
