A stunning second-half performance saw Ghana thrash Gabon 4-0 in the first leg of their U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Accra on Saturday. 

Black Meteors opened the scoring through Kwabena Owusu in the 15th minute. Owsus, who scored a hat-trick in the team’s 5-1 win over Togo last year, received a pass from Joseph Paintsil inside the box and curled into the roof of the net. 

But they failed to add to their tally despite several opportunities. Gabon the other hand came very close to equalising when they struck the post few minutes to end the first half. 

Head coach Ibrahim Tanko, who doubles as Black Stars assistant coach, brought on Bernard Tekpetey for Benjamin Tetteh before the start of the second half. The Paderborn attacker made an instant impact as he drilled home the second goal in the 47th minute. 

Winger Osman Bukari added the third in the 75th minute when he stole the ball from a Gabon defender with his head and went on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper and he kept his composure before slotting home.

Five minutes to time, the Trencin player grabbed a brace to seal the demolition exercise after collecting a pass from the midfield and powerfully placing it into the roof.

The result puts the Black Meteors in a good position to reach the third round of the qualifiers ahead of Tuesday's return fixture in Libreville. 

There could be a big reward for playing at the Afcon as the top three teams at the championship in Egypt will represent Africa at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Ghana last qualified for the Olympic Games in 2004.