Teklemariam Shanko looked like he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him after one of the worst howlers in FIFA World Cup African qualifiers history.
Ethiopia’s goalkeeper huge blunder gifted Mubarak Wakaso opening goal for Ghana with a moment he will never forget in Accra.
The Walia Ibex custodian wrongly received the shot from 20 yards and the ball sneaked between his legs and across the line in a Group G match played at Cape Coast Stadium on Friday night.
Wubetu Abate, the Ethiopia coach, was forced to make a change at the start of the second half and brought in second-choice goalkeeper Fasil Gebremikael as Shanko was heavily disturbed by the mistake.
Ethiopia should have opened the scoring after 25 minutes but Yared Bayeh failed to convert into an empty net, while Richard Ofori produced a superb save to deny Asrat Tonjo from point-blank range from the rebound.
Shahko was called upon in the 30th minute, as the Walia Ibex shot-stopper pulled off a double save to deny Andre Ayew from six-yards out.
Five minutes later,Mubarak Wakaso unleashed an absolute screamer which hit the back of the net to hand Ghana a 1-0 lead with goalkeeper Balcha Shanko having misread the flight of the ball.
Ghana ended the half as the stronger of the two sides, and the score remained 1-0 , as the referee blew for halftime.
The Black Stars continued to frustrate the Walia Ibex , as their goalkeeper Ofori did well to keep out Getaneh Kebede’s stinging effort from distance in the 51st minute.
Abate opted for a double change for the final 20 minutes, as he introduced Gatoch Panom and Abel Tirahun.
However, Black Stars held to their lead to go on top of the group on 3 points, two more than South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Ethiopia hosts Zimbabwe in Bahir Dar in match day two of the qualifiers, while Ghana travels to Pretoria to face South Africa.
