Blues midfielder Kevin Bru won his third full international cap as Mauritius were thrashed 7-1 by Ghana in their opening 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Accra this afternoon.

Former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan and Jordan Ayew both netted twice and Christian Atsu, who will spend next season on loan at Bournemouth from Chelsea, Leicester’s Jeffrey Schlupp and David Accam once each for the Black Stars, who were the runners-up at the finals held earlier this year.

It was a 32nd minute Bru freekick which led to the only Mauritius goal to reduce what was already a four-goal deficit, Andy Sophie stabbing his ball into the area from the right into the net from close range.

Bru played the full 90 minutes for Les Dodos, who found themselves 5-1 down at the break, while the Town man’s older brother Jonathan, who plays in Portugal for UD Oliveirense, skippered the side.

It’s the first time Bru, 26, has been capped since joining Town last summer following a successful trial.

In March he was forced to pull out of the squad playing friendlies against Burundi and Togo due to injury.

The Parisian previously won U19 caps with France but switched allegiance to the country of his parents' birth.

Mauritius, who have only qualified for the finals once, back in 1974, next face Mozambique at home in September with Rwanda the other team in the group.

As a result of their international involvement, Bru, Daryl Murphy, David McGoldrick and Christophe Berra will all miss the beginning of pre-season with the Blues which starts in the final week of June.

Photo: Action Images

runningout added 21:55 - Jun 14 Must be doing him the world of good
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trncbluearmy added 04:38 - Jun 15 Take a break and recharge foe next season far more important https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritius_Football_Association
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brian_a_mul added 09:01 - Jun 15 Thats a big step up to play against that quality of opposition. He got an assist and got to play along his brother in the national team against a very strong Ghana team. Im happy for him and I hope overall he enjoyed the occasion.
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WeWereZombies added 10:04 - Jun 15 Great that he is getting internationals in the close season and even better for us if Mauritius fail to qualify for ACON as he will be playing for ITFC in January. Still hoping they get something out of eiher the Rwanda or the Mozambique match so that he does not come back a bit demoralised.
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maxikiosco added 12:53 - Jun 16 Ghana away is a tough ask for any team. Cape Verde have shown in the last few years that the smaller nations can qualify and make an impact at Afcon. No reason why Mauritius can't emulate their success with players like Bru in the team. Good luck to him and Les Dodos!
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