Goal scoring proved the largest bane of the Black Stars yesterday after they failed to search out the again of the web towards Sudan in an AFCON 2025 qualifier on the Accra Sports Stadium.
The end result leaves the Black Stars as ‘endangered species’ so far as qualification to the continental fiesta was involved except they win the final three video games that embrace a second leg tie towards the Sudanese in Libya on Monday.
It was unbelievable for the Stars strikers how some possibilities had been missed
Ghana’s Jordan Ayew (9) controls the ball away from his Sudanese markers Abdalla Mohamed Ahmed (2) and Ramadan Agab. Photos: Raymond Ackumey
It was a a lot improved efficiency from the Kudus Mohammed-led warriors. For as soon as, they demonstrated the hunger, dedication and dedication missing of their video games.
They had been let down by the failure to transform the numerous first rate possibilities that fell to them.
The Sudanese goalkeeper, Abdelrahman Gaafar Ali, would additionally take a whole lot of the credit score for his heroic saves that saved them within the recreation.
Yesterday’s draw leaves the Black Stars in third place of the group with two factors with Angola and Niger set to honour their third matches at present.
Ghana went straight into motion with Seidu Alidu scampering down the appropriate aspect of the Stars assault however the hazard was cleared to throw.
Identifying some weaknesses on the left aspect of the Sudan defence the place Ahmed Abdalmoneam Yousif operated, the Stars saved attacking from that aspect and within the course of earned two successive nook kicks beneath 5 minutes.
The Stars hit the cross bar with Alexander Djiku’s header from the resultant nook with the Sudanese keeper fully crushed.
Seven minutes into the sport, Ernest Nuamah attacked and lower in efficiently however his choice to shoot on the close to submit proved a nasty one.
As the Sudanese, at this stage struggled to get out of their half, it grew to become a battle between the Stars attackers towards the visiting goalkeeper, Abdelrahman Gaafar Ali, who denied Antoine Semenyo on the tenth minute.
Abobaker Mamoun, nonetheless, offered the primary take a look at for Ghana simply earlier than the primary water break when he raced to intercept an extended ball into the Stars space however his shot travelled means above the submit to the reduction of goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
Ati Zigi pulled a save within the thirty fifth minute to disclaim the Sudanese who raised their tempo from the half hour mark, making the sport a ding-dong affair with motion switching from one aspect of the pitch to the opposite.
Sudan’s Walieldin Daiyeen obtained the primary yellow card of the match on the forty fifth minute after obstructing an advancing Ernest Nuamah, however the resultant kick was handled by the Sudan defence.
Both sides resumed the second half on a cautious be aware, passing the ball round and in search of areas to strike.
However, it was Ghana captain, Mohammed Kudus, who broke that tempo with a splash to the Sudan territory however his shot was blocked to nook.
That risk however, the Sudanese, beneath the tutelage of Ghanaian coach, Kwesi Appiah, saved their form and composure on the again, preferring to cross out from the again.
Ghana was offered with a free kick within the fiftieth minute after a participant was introduced down.
Kudus marketed an extended strike, solely to put a large one to Gideon Mensah on the left wing however his cross was headed to nook and wasted.
With his tempo and aggression, Kudus remained a relentless risk to the Sudan defencemen, riskening with a number of one-on-one conditions.
Ghana put the Sudanese beneath intense strain from the fifty fifth minute, a interval that noticed Semenyo missed two gilt-edged possibilities and Kudus taking pictures into the aspect web.
Coach Otto Addo introduced on Inaki Williams and Fatawu Isshahaku for Jordan Ayew and Nuamah within the seventieth minute in a bid to unlock the Sudan defence with their tempo and trickery, nonetheless, it was the Sudanese who went nearer to objective with a free kick which Ati-Zigi pushed to nook.
Ati-Zigi was readily available once more to save lots of a scenario for Ghana after the Black Stars defence gave the ball away across the objective space within the seventy fifth minute.
The Black Stars had been offered one other alternative with a free kick across the Sudan objective space after Fatawu Isshahaku was fouled as Ghana went all out looking for a fate-defining objective however Kudus’ kick was deflected for Ghana’s twelfth nook kick of the match.
Sadly, the Stars did not utilise any of the nook set items.
The Sudanese goalie, Abdelraman, climaxed his Man-of-the-Match show with a heroic save on the 89th minute after diving to save lots of what was considered the opener.
He recovered from a deal withment from harm afterwards to save lots of Inaki Williams’ faucet in with Fatawu Ishahaku’s shot from the rebound additionally going means above the cross bar and loved a kingly experience from teammates after the ultimate whistle.
It was a joyous second for the Sudanese who Ghanaian coach, Kwesi Appiah, remained in a sombre temper identical to the Black Stars gamers who left the sphere in dejection and disappointment.
But within the phrases of Coach Otto Addo throughout his post-match press convention, he gave highest assurance that the Black Stars would emerge victors within the second leg to make qualification doable.
BY ANDREW NORTEY
