Kenya’s Harambee Stars superbly went about Coach Sebastian Migne’s instructions to earn a vital 1:0 victory against Ghana’s Black Stars at the Kasarani Stadium.
A Black Stars side without skipper Asamoah Gyan, deputy skipper Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew were unable to see off competition from Kenya – going down narrowly courtesy Nicholas Opoku’s own goal.
Center back Nicholas Opoku turned a rocket-like cross into his own net with just 5 minutes to end the first half when confronted by stalwart center forward Olunga who was a torn in the flesh of Ghana’s defense throughout the game.
The Black Stars despite losing still command a lot of respect in group F, though all could change if Sierra Leone have their way against bottom place Ethiopia today, at Addis Ababa.
Despite chopping the chunk of possession and creating a basket full of chances, the Coach Kwesi Appiah led side failed to convert any of them as the game ended 1:0 to Ghana’s disadvantage.
Below is a personal view of the performance of the 14 players who had the nod to star today for the Black Stars.
5/10 – Goalkeeper Richard Ofori had to come to Ghana’s rescue as early as the 3rd minute of the game, when right back,… effortlessly went pass Daniel Opare to find himself free in an acute angle in the box, his effort was well punched off danger.
He was basically on holiday throughout the second half, not well threatened, much owed to Ghana bossing the play entirely and due to the tactically approach of the home side.
4/10 Left Back Daniel Opare took a lot of time to warm himself into the game. He was well left off hook by his marker and most cases outnumbered. With he competition at both lateral positions, such performance will not fetch him a starting berth if the team have no injury scare.
6/10 Right Back Andy Yiadom served close to a peach-like performance. He bossed his marker and surged forward when needed, he lofted in some cross which on should have threatened the Kenyans better.
4/10 Center Back Nicholas Opoku had a tory time dealing with Kenya’s center forward Olunga to the point that, he had to turn a cross to his own net. Opoku’s combination with Amartey on most occasions seems shaky.
6/10 Daniel Amartey led Black Stars for the first time and unfortunately had to endure a painful defeat despite an impressive display on the day.
5/10 Afriyie Acquah agreeable went about his defensive expertly, but his surges were a bit on the downside, he lost the ball one too many – Acquah lost the ball in the middle and the Harambee Stars had to swing only two passes together for it to be turned into a goal.
4/10 Ebenezer Ofori: that was the worst performance by the Ghanaian midfielder, he was slow to pick his team mates up – dispossessed a lot of time. He was not that aggressive.
4/10 Christian Atsu: the Newcastle United flanksman was just an onlooker in the first half. Ghana’s best chances fell in his path in the service half, but over-elaborated and got himself overcrowded by the Kenyan defense.
7/10 Thomas Partey – it wasn’t close to his best day, he was way below that measure yet easily Ghana’s brightest spot on the field. His incisive passes and control from deep midfield in the second half were peach at most times.
5/10 Edwin Gyasi – Gyasi need more time to warm himself as a Black Stars player, but the competition might not allow that, his quality is undeniable. Sacrificing him at that early stage of the game was not a good decision by the manager.
4/10 Majid Waris – Ochien had a field day against the Ghanaian forward, Waris’s pace became his trump card and used it to his advantage a couple of occasions. He would have been a better to start him from the bench.
Substitutes
3/10 Harrison Afful
3/10 Raphael Dwamena
3/10 Kwadwo Asamoah
