KUMASI, Ghana — Ghana stunned Egypt 6-1 in the first leg of their World Cup playoff Tuesday, with Asamoah Gyan's fifth-minute goal kicking off a dominant performance that makes the Black Stars overwhelming favorites to be one of the five African teams in Brazil next year. Ghana captain Gyan scored twice, once in each half, while Egypt captain Wael Gomaa scored an own goal to underline a disastrous first leg for the visitors. Chasing a first trip to the World Cup in over 20 years, Egypt under former United States coach Bob Bradley had appeared on course for a long-awaited qualification by battling through two years of violent unrest at home to make the final 10-team playoffs. The record seven-time African champion has only played in two World Cups before. But Ghana, the 2010 World Cup quarterfinalist and Africa's best-performing team three years ago, was way too strong at home at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi to put itself in prime position to progress. It's still unclear where that game will be played after Egypt initially said it would be in Cairo and in front of fans, which would be the first international held in the capital in two years. FIFA, on Ghana's request, is still reviewing security arrangements for the deciding leg. “We still have 90 more minutes to determine whether we play in Brazil or not,” Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew said. “What we have achieved with this scoreline is to have one foot in Brazil. We need to complete it in the next match when we play in Egypt.” After struggling badly at the start, Egypt responded through a 41st-minute penalty by Mohamed Aboutrika for 2-1, only for an unrelenting Ghana to respond with four more goals. Majeed Waris put the home team two goals clear again just before halftime, and Gyan scored his second soon after the break. Sulley Muntari added a penalty in the 72nd and a last-minute strike by substitute Christian Atsu ensured Ghana will take a seemingly insurmountable lead into the second leg next month. Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah said simply: “We played well.” Gyan scored with a right-footed shot inside five minutes for the early lead and Egypt goalkeeper Sheri Ekramy also had to make two sharp saves to deny the Ghanaians another two goals in the first 20 minutes. Ekramy was helpless when Gomaa deflected Michael Essien's shot into the net in the 22nd. Mohamed Salah was fouled to set up Aboutrika's penalty just before halftime, only for Waris' header to make it 3-1 three minutes later. Gyan struck for his second with another header in the 53rd, Muntari scored the fifth from the spot after Waris was fouled with 20 minutes to go and Atsu's powerful shot with a minute left capped a surprisingly one-sided game. Egypt was the only African team to win all six of its games in the group stage of the qualifying campaign. — AP
