Wasteful Black Stars Draw Blank In Maputo

The Black Stars of Ghana drew blank in the second leg of their Africa Cup of nations qualifier against Mozambique.

Avram Grant made four changes to his side that drew the first of the double header in Accra last week Thursday, replacing Christian Atsu, Mubarak Wakaso, Frank Acheampong and Majid Waris.

Ebenezer Assifuah started upfront ahead of Waris, Alfred Duncan and Agyemang Badu joined Afriyie Acquah in midfield, whilst the back five remained unchanged.

Ghana started on a bright note and had all the plethora of opportunities to beat the Mozambiqans.

Glorious goal scoring chances fell the way of former U-20 World Cup golden boot winner, Ebenezer Assifuah, but the Sion FC fluffed the chances.

The OS Mambas who were very confident all afternoon, looked to use the wings to their benefit, but Baba Rahman and Harrison Afful were too strong to be beaten.

Coach Abel Xavier went for penetration through the middle, but the Stsrs’ were compact and muffled all their threats, giving Razak Braimah in post a holiday in the first half.

The second department of the game was not different from the first. The Black Stars probed all the questions but were nemesis if themselves. Th goal begged for a ball, but Jordan, and Alfred Duncan all failed to make the chances count.

Avram Grant brought on Majid Waris to replace the Ebenezer Assifuah who limped off, but the FC Lorient striker was a pale shadow of himself. His movement into space for ball was zero just as having the ball at his feet.

Ghana huffed and puffed for the the break through, with Baba Rahman and Jordan Ayew all making poor decisions in the final third of the pitch.

Chelsea left back Baba Rahman chose a cut back when he could have powered the beyond the goalkeeper, whilst Jordan Ayew chose to set up Alfred Duncan, after dummying his opponent.

Duncan’s shot was well saved, after taking a deflection. At the other end of the pitch,  frustrated OS Mambas, challenges were were becoming hefty and the referee booked Simao Mate Junior for  a lunge on John Boye.

Ghana almost had the final say when a dinking corner fell to Jeffery Schlupp, but the Fox miscued his shot.

In the end, Ghana drop points, but the road to Gabon is still bright as the result gives the Stars 10 points in four qualifying matches.

Wasteful Black Stars Draw Blank In Maputo