Ghana slump but Liberia keep going

Not even the presence of Bayern Munich's Samuel Kuffour could help Ghana to victory

Sudan 1-0 Ghana
Liberia 1-0 Sierra Leone

Ghana's hopes of reaching their first World Cup Finals were dealt a bitter blow when James Joseph scored the only goal of the game for Sudan in the Group B clash in Omdurman.

In the same group, Liberia made it three wins in a row and established themselves as the main challengers to Nigeria by squeezing past Sierra Leone.

Ghana have four African titles to their name but followed a 3-1 home defeat by Liberia last time out with another loss, despite putting out a strong side.

The Black Stars included five players from Champions League and Super Cup winners Hearts of Oak, and three foreign-based players, including Bayern Munich's Samuel Kuffour.

It was still not enough as UAE-based striker Joseph - the only player turning out overseas in Sudan's squad - fired in a free-kick on 71 minutes after Ghana keeper Sammy Adjei was penalised for handling a back-pass on the edge of the box.

Criticism of indiscipline

Sudan can still entertain qualifying hopes of their own after two wins from three games, though lack of experience is likely to tell against them, especially away from home.

Ghana's preparations for the match were disastrous, and public criticism of indiscipline in the squad is growing, but the team did put up a fight in Omdurman.

  Group B Table

1 Liberia P4 GD 6-4 Pts 9

2 Nigeria P3 GD 6-2 Pts 6

3 Sudan P3 GD 3-3 Pts 6

4 Ghana P3 GD 6-4 Pts 3

5 S Leone P3 GD 0-8 Pts 0

Baffour Gyan lobbed the keeper but saw his shot come back off the post in Ghana's best first half chance, and the same player fired a good opportunity wide early in the second half.

Sudan had the larger share of possession but struggled to create many chances.

Just before Joseph's goal, defender Khalid Bakhir nearly scored with a cross which Adjei misjudged as it nearly dropped under the bar.

Unsafe

The other Group B game in Monrovia was similarly uneventful despite a highly-charged build-up which left the match in doubt earlier in the week.

Sierra Leone had told Fifa they felt the Liberian capital Monrovia was unsafe for them to travel but were told the political situation did not warrant a postponement or change of venue.

Heavily-armed police and military troops guarded the stadium and the hotel where Sierra Leone were staying, but the match passed off relatively peacefully.

A slow-paced game was settled by a 65th-minute goal from striker Zizi Roberts to take Liberia three points clear at the top of the group.