Ghana's World Cup chances are hanging in the balance after a crushing 2-0 defeat to Egypt in Alexandria. Joy Sports Kweku Arhin rates the players after a hard fought battle.
Razak Braimah – 5/10
Highly untroubled but failure to firmly grab free kick led up to Egypt penalty. As usual struggled with ball distribution. Average performance.
Harrison Afful – 4/10
Afful will forever be remembered in this game for a rush tackle which gave the Pharaohs the lead against the run of play. He was largely on the front foot till then and the mistake downed his confidence a wee bit.
Baba Rahman – 6/10
Rahman was touted as a possible weak link prior to the game as he was set to come face to face Mohammed Salah. However, the Schalke player put a dominant defensive display pushing the Roma man back. Offered little going forward but a great display.
Daniel Amartey 7/10
Assured in possession and dominant in the air. Great last ditch tackle on Mohammed Salah epitomized his display.
Jonathan Mensah 7/10
Jonathan also put up a superb display and marshaled the backline. Leader of defence, he controlled the defensive line as to when to push up or sit back.
Thomas Partey 6.5/10
First competitive start for Ghana and the Atletico man looked settled. Pace, power and different range of passing. Rush of blood in the build up to the Egypt blighted a rather good display.
Emmanuel Agyemang Badu 6/10
Played in an unconventional right midfield role and offered great energy in the midfield but failed to provide the attacking thrust needed on the right. Could have equalised with a free header in the second half.
Mubarak Wakaso 8/10
Provided variations and impetus in the Ghana attack as he recycled possession and used the ball effectively. Typical powerful tackle on Mohammed Salah set the tone for a dominant midfield display and bossed the game ahead of opposing Mohammed El-Neny.
Jordan Ayew 7/10
Same old from Jordan as he huffed and puffed without an end product. He run the channels and provided speed but failed to make a huge presence in the Egypt box.
Andre Ayew 6/10
Dede played the “10” and still looks a few paces off. However, he used the ball well and generally led the pressing for the Ghana attack. Could have been more decisive.
Christian Atsu 6/10
Played on the left wing but could and should have had the most of Ahmed Fathi. Failed to deliver a good end product even after beat the veteran full back.
Jeffrey Schlupp 5/10
Replaced Thomas Partey with 20 minutes remaining and rarely failed to make an impact.
Abdul Majeed Waris N/A
89th minute substitute for Wakaso. Too little too late to be decisive.
Avram Grant – 6/10
Avram Grant provided a tactical masterstroke in the first 40 minutes but failed to react to being a goal down as the repititive lack of Plan B showed its head again. The Black Stars needed a typical "fox in the box" player ( Majeed Waris/ Ebenezer Assifuah) in the second half as well as providing width on both flanks as most attacks where concentrated down the left.
Latest Stories
- Today’s front pages: Monday, March 27, 2023
4 mins - Mobile Money transactions in only 2 months of 2023 hit ¢264.1bn
9 mins - Ghana records $752.8m trade surplus in first 2 months of 2023
28 mins - Black Stars: Nicholas Opoku handed late call up for Angola game
49 mins - Sniffing body odour is tested as an anxiety therapy
8 hours - Israel defence minister fired in legal reform row
8 hours - Strike brings Germany’s public transport network to halt
8 hours - Tunisia migrants: At least 29 die off coast
8 hours - GAA, GES & NSA set to host National Athletics Championship in Kumasi
9 hours - betPawa PL: Hearts of Oak lose on the road; Medeama beat Kotoko
9 hours - Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham Hotspur by mutual consent
10 hours - Playback: The Probe discusses the relevance of a hung Parliament
12 hours - Upper West Akim MP organises ‘Adom Easter Gala’ competition for constituents
13 hours - Prophet urges members not to bring offertory to church
13 hours - Samson’s Take: Ashaiman, state-sponsored terrorism against rule of law II
13 hours