The Senior National Team, the Black Stars struggled to beat their Beninoir counterparts by one goal to nil in the 2010 World Cup qualifier played at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday. As if to confirm the excitement predicted in the game, the World Cup qualifier saw one of the earliest goals in the country’s football history. The prince of goals, Prince Tagoe opened scoring in less than a minute after kick-off when he expertly connected an immaculate Sule Ali Muntari cross from the left. The early goal did not incapacitate the Squirrels of Benin who carried the game to the Stars. Sesenyon Mafan and Razak Omutoyosi proved simply unstoppable and sent jitters down the spines of the supporters. In the 15th minute, the skipper of the Stars, Stephen Appiah nearly doubled the lead but his volley took a ricochet of the Beninoir defender. A back pass to goalkeeper Richard Kingson nearly spelt doom for the Stars in the 22nd minute. The second department of the game started with the Stars creating decent chances and characteristically making nothing out of them. But for timely intervention of Samuel Inkoom, Boko would have equalized for the Squirrels after four minutes into the second half. After eight minutes into the second half, the Stars lost their bearing and lacked ideas as the more determined Beninoir side dictated the pace in a bid to snatch an important point. In the 56th minute, Sesenyon threaten the Ghanaian goal area but the Stars escaped by the breath of a thread of hair. The introduction of Kodwo Asamoah in the 62nd minute proved decisive as he pounded the goal area of the Beninoir side. A good move between, Inkoom, Tagoe and Appiah provided a glimmer of hope for the stars although it was not good enough to yield anything. The defence of the Squirrels was in superb shape, neutralizing threats by the Stars. At this stage, fire crackers lightened the stadium apparently by fans trying to excite themselves when their team’s performance was below expectation. Twenty minutes to go, and the thousands, perhaps millions of Black Stars fans sat on tenterhooks fearing the worse. A win for the team will put the Stars on top of Group D, Sudan and Mali – the other two countries in the group - having played a drawn game on Saturday. In the 73rd minute, Asamoah Gyan came for Appiah who was unhappy and could not hide his frustrations as he kicked bottles about. But Milovan Rajevac appeared to get his choices right as Asmoah Gyan receives thunderous welcome from the fans. The hitherto lull fans stood on their feet and urged the players on with about 14 minutes to go. Asamoah Gyan gave a good account of himself when he nearly cushioned the Stars’ lead with some few minutes to go. His thunderous strike in the 80th minute whisked just wide. The 86th minute saw another dangerous free kick that could create problems for Ghana, but was poorly converted. Sule Muntari’s shot which came off the bar, in the 88th minute served as some assurance for the fans many of whom were holding their breath at this juncture. Three minutes added on, and the 180 seconds appeared very grueling for Ghana. Michael Essien tried a last free kick, but it could not beat the Beninoir goalie. Story by Malik Abass Daabu