Ghana secured a narrow 1-0 win over Gambia in the opening match of 2017 WAFU Cup at the Cape Coast Stadium on Saturday.
Vincent Atinga scored the only goal of the encounter through a penalty in the final five minutes to hand the Black Stars B the win.
In a match that failed to take off in the opening stanza, neither side managed to produce a chance of any real consequence and the side’s respective goalkeepers were rarely troubled.
In the 27th minute Kwame Kizito did gift the opposition a chance when his kick from hand presented posession back to Stars and captain Felix Addo sent a rocket over the crossbar.
Aproaching the half-hour mark Gideon Waja directed a powerful free-kick just over the bar before Patrick Razak saw his goalbound effort blocked minutes later.
The quality of the chances improved after the restart and Joseph Addo was called into action minutes after coming back out as he tipped Pape Omar’s dipping free-kick over the bar.
In the 55th minute it was Waja who again tested Gambia goalie but the stopper was equal to it.
Inside the final 10 Patrick Razak troubled Jobe with an effort headed into the group and although that attack was repelled, Gambia came back at them but failed to score moments later.
A swift move saw Vincent Atinga pick up the ball inside the box and he took a touch to set himself before firing into the far corner.
Just as the game looked ti be headed for penalties,Black Stars were awardee a penalty after referee adjudged Saneh to have commited a faul inside the box.
Hearts of Oak defender Vincent Atinga stepped up and placed the ball past Gambia keeper to ein the game for the hosts.
Ghana will meet the winner of the game between Mali and Mauritania.