Ghana snatched a 1-0 win over Panama in stoppage time on Wednesday night — but the victory came at a potentially heavy cost, with first-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi forced off at half-time after a collision, leaving his fitness for next week’s World Cup clash with England in serious doubt.
Caleb Yirenkyi scored his first competitive international goal in the dying seconds, tapping home from two yards after a lightning counter-attack started by Coventry’s Brandon Thomas-Asante, whose pace and energy transformed Ghana’s attack in the final half-hour. “He could not miss,” noted one report, as the ball arrived at his feet in the six-yard box and the Ghanaian fans erupted inside a sodden BDO Field in Toronto.
“Ghana beat Panama 1-0 but goalkeeper Ati Zigi injured, doubtful for England clash in Boston.”
But for 95 minutes, the story of the night was Ati Zigi. The St Gallen goalkeeper made a flying save to deny Panama’s Cecilio Waterman in just the second minute, but he went down for treatment three times before half-time — most notably after clattering into Minnesota United’s Carlos Harvey while both went for a lofted ball. He was the last player off the pitch at the interval, moving gingerly with what appeared to be a dead leg, and did not return for the second half. He was replaced by Benjamin Asare, a 33-year-old Hearts of Oak goalkeeper earning only his eighth cap.
Panama, bolstered by a vociferous red-clad crowd, had been the better side in the first half, energetic and threatening. Cristian Martinez lashed a shot into the side-netting from close range, and Panama demanded a penalty for contact from Jerome Opoku on Martinez, but the referee waved away their appeals. Ghana managed no attempts on goal before the break, reliant on Ati Zigi’s command of his area.
With Ati Zigi off, Ghana improved. Jonas Adjetey forced a smart stop from Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera with a header, and Thomas-Asante sent a gorgeous low cross for Jordan Ayew that Panama defender Jiovany just deflected wide. The breakthrough came in stoppage time after a quick break: Thomas-Asante escaped down the right and sent the ball into the six-yard box, where Yirenkyi tapped home.
Ghana were already without Thomas Partey, who was denied entry into Canada and lost a visa appeal. Now they face England — who beat Croatia 4-2 earlier on Wednesday — on June 23 in Boston, with both sides top of Group L on goal difference. If Ati Zigi cannot recover, Harry Kane and Co will face international rookie Asare instead.