Afcon2019: Black Stars fall short of the glory of Ghana

By:brightwebtv.com/nana asare barimah

Kwabena Owusu rattled the cross bar in the dying moments

Ghana has still not been able to get out of the cages after another draw against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun.

It leaves the team with two points, a last game and a sharped-tongued Ghanaian fan base.

It was an improved performance even if goal-less. Better attempt to build up the play as against the more direct play against Benin.

Fault-finding Ghanaians would pick out Partey, Kwadwo Asamoah for the stick. Partey’s technique when he rarely showed it was baseball, not football.

He looked disinterested in attack perhaps instructed to hold back for Dede and Kwadwo Asamoah.

Photo: Mubarak Wakaso

Perhaps the sitter was a 90min opportunity with Yiadom barely six yards from goal. The right-back passed the ball right into the dropping arms of Onana.

A minute earlier, Andre Dede Ayew’s substitute Kwabena Owusu rattled the crossbar on the 89thmin after he turned out quite awkwardly a Camerounian defender. The defender would be seen holding out his hand begging his colleagues as he took responsibility for Owusu’s chance.

All these opportunities came late in the game when coach Kwesi Appiah threw two more fresh attackers for worn-out ones.

The defending champions, Indomitable Lions had their best moments too. Keeper Richard Ofori kept out Bassong with a save-of-the-match with his shot inside the box palmed away with a De Gea instinct if you focus on the Manchester Utd keeper’s heroics two seasons ago.

Photo: Bassong shot, Ofori’s save in the first half

Bassong springs another pile-driver in the second half – a bullet that smothered into Jonathan Mensah’s shoulders painfully.

The defender dazed, dropped down like a soldier. Take a shot for Ghana. Moments in the first half, he scuttled one of the deadliest attacks running after an attacker inside the box and flying down from behind to chop the ball off the player’s eager foot.

Ghana ended on a high just as Cameroun ended the first.

In the first half, Cameroon played with the full weight on Ghana’s football status firmly on their minds.

Careful when they did not have the ball and peeling off at great speed down the wings when they stole it.

Ghana largely kept their shape. Compact, not running off heedlessly to close down the opponent.

The few such springs on the Camerounians were wise. Like a quick steal of the ball deep into the left wing of the opponent’s half. But to final pass to the trigger-pusher Jordan was intercepted.

 

Photo: N’jie spotting a fiery hair-do keeps the ball away from Yiadom

Ghana’s chances came much like buffering internet. There was a 14minute shot from Atsu from long range that shades past the near post.

Despite interesting support around him, the Newcastle attacker went solo. His thighs didn’t appear to be fully consulted in that effort. He pulled a muscle and Atsu was pulled out.

There was another delightful cross from Baba Rahamann to pick out an off-the-ball and flying Jordan Ayew. He stuck out a Kung-fu leg, the result was A for effort. The ball rolled away painfully.

The Indomitable Lion’s fear of Ghana captured best in a 26min corner that was delayed for several seconds as they appeared to harass any player above four feet – particularly Dede Ayew.

But there was also a ball to fear for Ghana – for Wakaso. Manjeck stuck his boot into Wakaso’s balls as the Camerounian tried to clear out the ball after Wakaso failed to control the pass.

Cameroun did not stick a fatal boot in Ghana’s qualification chances but the draw looked like a win for Cameroun who go top with four points. Ghana has Guinea-Bissau as their last Guinea pig at AFCON. A win and Ghana could be in.

Photo: Jordan Ayew did not have much luck infront of goal

 

Source:myjoyonline.com