A Mohammed Kudus brace was enough to ensure that the Ghana Black Stars edged out South Korea in a closely knitted game at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
On the back of losing to Portugal by 3-2, the BlackStars’ only hope of staying in the competition was a win against the Koreans which they delivered with every ounce of sweat and blood.
Southampton defender scrapped in Ghana’s first in a goal mouth melee, his first-ever World Cup goal before minutes later, Kudus added the second, his first on the day.
In what looked as a comfortable lead for the BlackStars heading out of the break, they interestingly conceded two goals in three minutes from Cho Guesung, which set a premise for a reverting half hour finish.
Gideon Mensah making his debut in national colours for the BlackStars on the biggest stage sent in a cross which evaded Bilbao foward, Inaki WIlliams but not the poster boy, Kudus, who slotted home his second, the country’s third to down Korean hearts.
Coach Otto Addo rang triple substitution, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew and Tariq Lamptey for Dennis Odoi, Daniel Kofi-Kyereh and Kamaldeen Sulemana, who played their bits to protect Ghana’s slender lead.
Ghana will hope to pick all 3 points or a draw against Uruguay in their last game to secure qualifications to the next round of the tournament.
