Black Stars suffer 3-0 defeat to Algeria in pre-AFCON friendly
The Black Stars of Ghana were given a chastening 3-0 defeat by Algeria in a friendly match as part of preparations for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon which is just four days away from kick-off.
Black Stars coach Milovan Rajevac handed starting roles to Gideon and Daniel Amartey at the back sandwiching Jonathan Mensah and Alexander Djiku who paired up in central defence.
Edmond Addo, making his debut for the Stars was handed a place in midfield alongside was joined in the middle of the park by Samuel Owusu, with Thomas Partey sitting in between them.
Upfront, the Black Stars played Richmond Boakye-Yiadom as the arrowhead with support from Fatawu Issahaku and Joseph Paintsil.
Ghana did not start so well in the first half with Algeria capitalizing on poor defending by Gideon Mensah and bad goalkeeping by Manaf Nurudeen to get an early goal through Adam Ounas. The Algerians threatened more with Gideon Mensah’s side been exploited to great detail by the Desert Foxes. However, Ghana was able to hold on to end the half only a goal down though Ghana had a few decent runs at the Algerians goal, none materialized into the equalizer.
In the second half, Ghana put forward an improved display with Fatawu Issahaku getting a few more chances to get the equalizer but had most of them off target. The Algerians grew back into the game with Ghana’s left rearguard once again exposed which resulted in an own goal scored by Jonathan Mensah with Lawrence Ati-Zigi on for Manaf.
Substitute, Islam Slimani added Algeria’s third a few minutes after Mensah’s own goal with the left side of Ghana’s defence been the culprit once again.
Andy Yiadom, Iddrisu Baba and Benjamin Tetteh were all introduced in the second half of the game with debuts for David Abagna and Maxwell Abbey Quaye as well.
Ghana has just four days to right the wrongs before taking on Morocco in their opening match at the tournament on January 10. After the Morocco game, the Black Stars will take on Gabon before wrapping up the group stage against Comoros.
By: Clifford Adumbire | myactiveonline.com
