Trabzonspor forward Caleb Ekuban stepped off the bench to score the winner eight minutes from time as Ghana edged out Kenya’s Harambee Stars 1-0 in the final qualification group match for the 2019 African Cup of Nations.

With the victory, Ghana toppled Kenya to finish top of the group, with both teams having advanced to the final tournament even before this match at the Accra National Stadium.

Kenya had defended well, for most of the dead rubber match, until the defense went to sleep for a moment allowing Jordan Ayew to run onto a through ball before shooting low, the ball trickling down Matasi’s body.

It was a game of few chances with Stars looking comfortable at 0-0 while Ghana were looking to get a win, though their tact upfront always failed them. Christian Atsu, who turns out for English Premier League side Newcastle United was Ghana’s best player of the night, but his runs oft bore little fruits.

As keenly contested as the second half was, there were no clear-cut chances for either side until the 82nd minute when debutant Caleb Ekuban broke the deadlock.

After being played through on goal, the substitute and Italian-born striker hit a first-time left-footed shot from just inside the box, the effort proving too strong for goalkeeper Matasi as the Black Stars secured a hard-fought 1-0 win in Accra.