Jordan Ayew returns to fire Ghana past Ethiopia

Christian Thompson/ BackpagePix

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Jordan Ayew scored twice as Ghana took a step towards the Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win away in Ethiopia to ease the pressure on coach Kwesi Appiah.

Ayew scored twice in the first half to take the Ghanaians to six points, one behind Group F leaders Kenya having played a game fewer.

Assuming suspended Sierra Leone are disqualified from resuming their qualifying campaign, Ghana cannot be overtaken in the top two qualification positions.

CAF may yet allow the Leone Stars to complete their programme, meaning that Ghana's AFCON participation cannot yet be confirmed.

Kwesi Appiah called on his big names for the game in Addis Ababa and the returning Ayew brothers, playing for the national side for the first time since September 2017, didn't disappoint.

Jorda put the Black Stars in front after only four minutes when he got on the end of a pass from Harrison Afful and picked his spot to the right of goalkeeper Abel Mamo.

That goal set the Black Stars up for a dominant first-half display, and they doubled their advantage from the spot after 24 minutes when Mamo brought down Emmanuel Boateng.

The Levante striker was played through on goal by a brilliant left-footed pass from Andre Ayew, and Jordan slotted home the resultant spot kick to mark a triumphant return for the brothers.

That first-half display proved to be enough for Ghana, who were happy to sit back for much of a drab second half and hold on for the 2-0 win.

The Black Stars will be back in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying action in March next year at home to Kenya, although it remains to be seen whether they will be required to play their postponed double-header against Sierra Leone.