Football
ESPN staff 8y

Ghana maintain unbeaten qualifying record; Ihenacho stars in Nigeria finale

Group H winners Ghana drew 1-1 against Rwanda in the penultimate day of African Nations Cup qualifying.

Ghana rested top stars Jordan Ayew and Christian Atsu, while Benjamin Tetteh made the most of his opportunity by scoring his first international goal to give the hosts the lead.

However, Muhadjiri Hakizimana scored from a free kick in the 83rd minute to draw Rwanda level, earning his team a point, while Ghana's unbeaten record in qualifying remained intact.

Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho scored for Nigeria  in a 1-0 win against Tanzania, with the traditional African power playing only for pride after their hopes of making it out of the group stage were spoiled by a March loss to Group G winners Egypt.

Cameroon maintained their place atop Group M with an easy 2-0 win against Gambia.

Goals by Benjamin Moukandjo and Karl Toko Ekambi either side of half-time padded the group lead for Alexandre Belinga's men, who had already sewn up passage out of the group stage.

A 1-1 draw for the Ivory Coast against Sierra Leone cost them the chance to go past Gabon in Group I.

A wonder-strike from Jonathan Kodjia had the hosts ahead in the first half, but New England Revolution striker Kei Kamara pegged one back in the 67th minute for Sierra Leone meaning the Ivory Coast lose out on top-of-group honours on goal differential.

The point does ensure the 2015 defending champions will be in the final to defend their title.

Ethiopia were 2-1 winners versus Seychelles, courtesy of a goal from Getaneh Kebede and a Saladine Said penalty. The hosts had no chance of catching Group J leaders Algeria, who finish qualification on Sunday.

Group B cellar dwellars Angola and Madagascar played out a 1-1 draw that was essentially meaningless in terms of the competition as neither team had any chance of making it out of the group stage.

Fouad Al Triki's 90th-minute strike gave visiting Libya a 1-0 win against the Cape Verde Islands. The hosts may rue the missed chance at points as they tried to figure into the best second-place finishers picture, with Morocco already having secured top spot in Group F.

Runaway Group K winners Senegal left no doubt in a 2-0 win against Namibia with Keita Balde Diao and Stoke City striker Mame Diouf providing the scoring punch.

Finally, Mozambique beat Mauritius 1-0 in a game that was for pride only, with both teams having seen their Group H chance come and gone.

ANC qualifying concludes on Sunday, Sept. 4, with a full list of matches available here.

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