
Audio By Carbonatix
As starts go, this was not the greatest performance by the Black Stars but coach Goran Stevanovic and many of those Ghanaians convinced Ghana can become African champions won't care.Stevanovic had claimed before this match that Ghana would show the world why they should be considered favourites and while there were plenty of positives, Stevanovic has been left with a lot to think about on the back of this game.
John Mensah's tap in off a fine flick by Asamoah Gyan from an Agyemeng Badu corner kick in the first-half was enough for the Black Stars who completely dominated that period.
Agyemang Badu went close, Asamoah Gyan looked lively and at the back Mensah and his central defensive partner were barely troubled.
But then a moment of casual approach cost Ghana. First Sulley Muntari struck a free-kick at the Botswana wall and when the ball was puffed forward, Anthony Annan attempted a flick that set-up straight towards the Ghana goal.
Mensah gave chase and clearly on realising Ghana was going to concede took his man down on the edge of the box. He was red carded as a result and a bit like the 2008 Nations Cup in Ghana against Nigeria took one for the team.
It leaves Stevanovic with some serious problems in the next game against Guinea.
Mensah will serve a two game suspension which means Ghana's first choice center back paring of John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah who will be serving the final of a two game ban against Mali will be unavailable. John Boye and Jonathan Mensah are likely to get the nod for that game.
It will leave the defence badly short on collective experience. Adam Kwarasey will be playing only his second Nations Cup game, John Boye too and there are major question marks over the full backs where John Paintsil did not quiet convince and Samuel Inkoom didn't bomb forward from the left. Masahudu Alhassan hit more stray passes in his time on as a substitute for Jordan Ayew.
So defence would be top priority for Ghana now and while the team will be happy for winning start given the Black Stars poor record in that regard, they will know that to make do on their promise of a 5th Nations Cup title, things will have to get much better.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Haruna Iddrisu empowers GES to clamp down on post-WASSCE celebrations in schools
3 minutes -
NACOC arrests three in Volta Region cannabis production and storage raid
13 minutes -
PAC Vice Chair raises alarm over stalled corruption prosecutions, calls for stronger enforcement
15 minutes -
Compassion International graduates urged to avoid deviant behaviour as they transition to independent life
29 minutes -
GES to set up committee to regulate celebrations on SHS campuses
35 minutes -
School environment is for learning, not post-WASSCE celebrations – Haruna Iddrisu
37 minutes -
School heads risk removal over extravagant student celebrations GES warns
42 minutes -
Gov’t moves to tackle student misconduct as education minister announces national forum
44 minutes -
Haruna Iddrisu extends ban on lavish school celebrations to all schools in Ghana
46 minutes -
Keir Starmer resigns as prime minister and leader of Labour Party
49 minutes -
From London to Accra: The UK-Ghana growth partnership in action
1 hour -
Six dead, 34 rescued in multiple road crashes across Volta Region on Sunday
1 hour -
NCPTA’s Deafening Silence: How parental failure, moral decay and social media excesses are turning Ghana’s schools into theatres of indiscipline
1 hour -
Plastic pollution begins at design stage not gutters expert calls for producer responsibility
1 hour -
Weak systems continue to hold back investment in Ghana’s plastic economy says CircularTech founder
2 hours