Antoine Semenyo has hit a career landmark by scoring his first goal for Ghana ahead of their World Cup campaign next week.
The Bristol City striker was introduced in the 62nd minute for captain Andre Ayew in their warm-up game against Switzerland in Abu Dhabi with the deadlock yet to be broken. It was just his third cap for his country after making his debut in the summer against Madagascar before taking on Brazil.
Southampton's Mohammed Salisu headed the Black Stars in front before Semenyo doubled Ghana's lead just 12 minutes after his introduction. The 22-year-old sparked the move by using his strength to hold off his man before freeing Kamaldeen Sulemana on the left wing.
Sulemana surged into the area and his strike on the angle was saved by keeper Yann Sommer before the ball flicked into the air and into the path of Semenyo six-yards out from goal. The striker maintained his composure and volleyed his strike into the back of the net.
His team-mates then mobbed him by the corner flag as they acknowledged Semenyo getting off the mark for his country at the ideal time. His goal will undoubtedly give manager Otto Addo food for thought when picking his team to take on Portugal in their World Cup opener next Thursday.
It was also his first goal since the 3-2 defeat at Norwich in September to give him an injection of confidence heading to Qatar. The game ended 2-0 and now their attentions will turn to taking on Cristiano Ronaldo and Co next week.
Ghana head into the tournament as the lowest-ranked side with Uruguay and South Korea also in their group. It is the fourth World Cup finals they have qualified for with their first coming in 2006 when the forward was six years old.
They can take inspiration from 2010 when they became just the third African nation to reach the quarter-finals before Luis Suarez's iconic handball on the line led to Asamoah Gyan missing a last-minute penalty. There is little expectation for Ghana this time around but Semenyo says they can surprise people in the Middle East.
Speaking after receiving his call-up, he said: "The dream is to win, we always want to win. Getting to the Round of 16 or the final eight is definitely the target and I will try and get as many goals as I can. Football in Ghana is massive
"When we get an opportunity to be on the world stage like this the population are going to be supporting us. We’re doing it for them as well as ourselves. I’m happy they are supporting us and we’ll do the best we can.
"We have guys in the Ghana squad that have played in the Prem (Premier League). You can see where the quality is at and it makes you want to work harder when you’re with these players and the calibre of them. I want to be playing, I want to be involved. Hopefully, I have done enough to be in the starting line-up."
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