The Black Stars of Ghana have secured qualification to the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted in Cameroon after drawing 1-1 with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.
Kudus Mohammed and Percy Tau traded goals in a 5-minute period in Johannesburg to share the spoils and effectively seal Ghana’s ticket to a 9th successive AFCON appearance.
Here’s how CK Akonnor’s men rated out of 10.
Razak Abalora (GK) – 8
Ghana’s star performer. Abalora pulled off some fine saves to keep the Black Stars in the game throughout. His good reflexes were a welcome skill in a game where the South Africans dominated and had the most shots on target. The only downside to his game was his distribution as he sometimes looked very uncomfortable with the ball at his feet.
Benson Annan (RB) – 6
It was an okay performance from the MSK Zilina full back who took no risks going forward and mostly maintained his shape in a defensive line that was under pressure most of the game.
Abdul Ganiu (CB) –7.5
Making his Black Stars debut, the Asante Kotoko center back looked assured at the back, clearing every ball that came his way and reading the game quite well. His timely clearance from an Abalora save kept the score at 1-1.
Nicholas Opoku (CB) -6
Opoku’s performance was decent, giving the ball away cheaply at times with his risky passing. Otherwise, he did well.
Baba Rahman (LB) -5.5
The Chelsea left back had a few moments that served reminders of his good old days but his overall performance smacked of a player lacking in form and confidence. He needs time to get back to his best.
Mubarak Wakaso (CM)- 6.5
Wakaso always has a decent game in Black Stars colors and this was no different. He worked hard in midfield and led from the midfield, having been given the captain’s armband for the tie. He got tired towards the end, obviously from his lack of game time for the past 4 months.
Afriyie Acquah (CM) – 7
The livelier of the two central midfielders, Acquah was a brute presence in midfield and occasionally bombed forward to join the attack. Should have hit the target late in the second half after great work from Baba Rahman but he fired wide.
Kudus Mohammed (CAM) -8
A wonderful goal in the second half to open the scoring for the Black Stars. The Ajax man was targeted for consistent fouling by the South Africans, especially in the first half but he showed great skill and composure to finish off coolly for his second goal in 2 games against the Bafana Bafana.
Emmanuel Gyasi (RAM)- 6.5
Had his decent moments in the game on his debut for the Black Stars and showed flashes of a player that can create havoc on his day. Decent outing.
Kwame Opoku (LAM) -5.0
Deployed out wide on the left side of attack, the USM Alger striker struggled to make any sort of impact in the game. Can be forgiven for being played out of position. Replaced by Osman Bukari at the break.
Caleb Ekuban (ST) -5.0
Played as the lone striker upfield, Ekuban was left isolated majority of the time he was on the pitch as Ghana were pinned back most of the time. Substituted in the second half after a poor display.
Substitutes:
Osman Bukari – 5.5
Emmanuel Lomotey – NA
Emmanuel Boateng – NA
CK Akonnor (Coach) -6.5
Made things really difficult for himself by playing players in positions they weren’t comfortable in, ie, Kwame Opoku. But he showed real bravery by substituting him and closed out the game with the introduction of Emmanuel Lomotey.
