mobile

By Akyereko Frimpong Manson

Follow Akyereko on Twitter: @AkyerekOfficial

Asamoah Gyan produced a magical performance to score a last-gasp goal for the Black Stars as they downed the Desert Foxes 1-0 in Mongomo on Friday afternoon.

Though the Desert Foxes played a high-pressing game and made a string of unsuccessful goal attempts in the first-half, the Black Stars claimed a late winner thanks to a magical strike from Asamoah Gyan in the 92nd minute.

Here's how GHANAsoccernet.com rated the Black Stars after their strong performance against Algeria's Desert Foxes.

RAZAK BRIMAH (GOALKEEPER) 6.5

The UD Mirandes keeper recovered from an early howler which nearly gifted a goal to the Desert Foxes. His attack-initiating kicks and improved organisation helped the Ghana back to properly contain the attacking threats of the Algerians.

HARRISON AFFUL (RIGHT-BACK) 6

He's a player who would normally guarantee you at least a seven every time he puts on but he failed to level up play in most parts of the first-half.

BABA RAHMAN (LEFT-BACK) 7

Ghana's best defender along with Daniel Amartey. The Augsburg man defended well and contained the Algerians with a cool head despite his tender age.

JONATHAN MENSAH (CENTER-BACK) 6.5

Defensively sound for the most part - but somehow failed to properly contain the Brahimi and his colleagues.

DANIEL AMARTEY (CENTER-BACK) 7

Technically Ghana's best defender on the evening. His timing of the vital "recovery tackle" has been vital in both games. Two good performance in his official Ghana games.

AFRIYIE ACQUAH (DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD) 6.5

Putting in huge performances given his comparisons with Michael Essien. Did the essentials, making timely stops in the middle and blocking balls and gagging spaces.

EMMANUEL AGYEMANG-BADU (RIGHT MIDFIELD) 8

Most powerful performer in the midfield. Badu was elusive with the ball and quick to surge forward and initiate attacks. His vision and pace in central midfield caused problems for the Algerians and they resulted to sawing him down intermittently to break his vision.

CHRISTIAN ATSU (LEFT MIDFIELD) 6.5

Nimble-footed! Used his abilities on the flanks exploit the space and weaknesses in the Algerian defence.

ANDRE AYEW (FREE ROLE) 7.5

Andre steered the team and run all afternoon. Sustained series of tackles but never got tired until he was replaced by Solomon Asante just before the end of the game.

JORDAN AYEW (FORWARD) 6.5

Jordan put up a strong performance in the first-half, constantly harassing the Algerians in their own area. But as the minutes tipped by in the second-half, his energy was flagged. Replaced by Mahatma Otoo.

ASAMOAH GYAN (FORWARD) 8

You could probably rate Gyan's performance as influential on the afternoon but the only way he could make the difference is doing what he did - a brilliant inspirational finish. The Al Ain goal-machine proved why he is indispensable in Ghana's attack and yet one of the best scorers on the continent.

SUBSTITUTES

MAHATMA OTOO (ATTACKER) 5.5

WAKASO MUBARAK (WINGER) 6

SOLOMON ASANTE (WINGER) 5

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Comments

This article has 17 comment(s) , give your comment

Readers Comment

  • NII-SOWAH 9 years ago

    Edem you can be a worst coach i havent seen in my life! Regardless of the persin perfoemance, you will change him:-))))))) Like seriously!

  • Edem 9 years ago

    Against SA - Our best 11- should be attack minded. Gyan, Dede, Asante, Atsu, Badu, Afriyie holds and same back 4 from today. Then Asante our for Jordan. Atsu out for Wakaso and Afriyie out for Rabiu

  • Kwame Adabo 9 years ago

    Pls leave Jordan alone n allow the boi to grow,yrs back u were saying the same thing about ghan but today Wht do we see lets motivate the young ones inspite of their misfiring and other faults,with tym atsu will also be important chap for the team,hmmmm Ghanafo) kasa dodo

  • millennium 9 years ago

    Noni said he will go naked if algeria does not beat ghana and eliminate us. Did he? Show up!

  • wee ba 9 years ago

    Jordan is a joke tweeeaaaaa

  • keith from germany 9 years ago

    Best player was Daniel"zidane"Amartey.That boy was the main reason the defence was well organised. The most funniest thing is amartey is actually a box to box midfielder and plays in defensive midfield at copenhagen.john boye is definately out. He was my man of the match cuz his passes from the back were accurate. im very happy avram grant is givin evrybody a chance to prove himself.Good to see mahatma otoo getting his hance. baba rahman was also good.

  • NAKED NONI 9 years ago

    Naked Noni9Ja Will be an eyesore so l hope he reneges on his promise. Since he goes not shave his armpit (indeed everywhere) we implore him to stay at home & not come close to America decent Ghananian

  • PITO 9 years ago

    I said it here before, Agyemang Badu has it all in him to be a great performer on the pitch for the Stars but he rarely plays himself out due to what I suspect to be a sort of cowardice and Inferiority complex. Once he gets rid of that, this guy has it all, energy, skill, power to make any team proud on a good day. I also said it here before that a Rabiu/Agyemang Badu midfield pairing is the WORST any manager will opt for. The reason being that Agyemang Badu is not really that much of an exceptional creative/holding midfielder but if you complement him with a good creative/holding midfielder, like Afriyie Acquah did today, you get a good team with a good attack. In the Absence of our regular experinced midfielders like Kwadwo Asamoah, a Rabiu and Agyemang Badu pair should be the LEAST favored option unless we are playing against a weak team like lesotho. Reason being that Rabiu Mohamed is the kind of midfielder I call, the "ball stopper'' and '' bring the player downer'' kind of midfielder. Thats all. When was the last time as a midfielder he scored a goal for Ghana? not even during A.A's era. Now you all see the point. I am glad Avram figured this worst midfield pairing in the team and rigged it this time around. Don't get me wrong, Rabiu is a good midfielder with what he does. but not the right player to contribute to a solid flowing midfield-to-attack game. As for Gyan, he is an inspiration to the team. And to the current Blackstars team, there is one phrase on the lips of all the fans, '' the love is coming back". South Africa playing style is different and they are dangerous.

  • Maxwell Johnson 9 years ago

    Wakaso did pretty well when he came on I was really impressed with his performance.

  • benny 9 years ago

    Gyan is the best ever Ghanaian player.Jordan,DEDE,atsu,Rabiu and john boye are the most useless players

  • Abrantie 9 years ago

    And who are going to replace your "useless" players? lol

  • SirWorms 9 years ago

    Hmmm

  • Amoration 9 years ago

    uncle Benny you never offered Ghana anything important yet you keep on labelling other people as useless. Asshole

  • Coach Badu 9 years ago

    Every player in the black stars team played well today;expect Jordan ayew :I hope the coach bench him against South africa:Solomon Asante should starting on the wings with Astu on the other flank;A ayew should be playin behind Gyan :::::not jordan he is toooooooooo selfish

  • Union Leader 9 years ago

    Maxwell J. Spot on. Wakaso really impressed me. He had that single purpose of moving the ball forward with every possession . I was a bit skeptical when he replaced the tireless Acqua, but he really proved me wrong with his display. Fantastic !

  • Stranger Danger 9 years ago

    "The Al Ain goal-machine proved why he is indispensable in Ghana’s attack and yet one of the best scorers on the continent." "on the continent"? I think you mean "on earth".

Advertisement
Advertisement

Find out more