Salisu, Semenyo score debut goals as Ghana beat Switzerland
Ghana’s final game ahead of the crucial opener against Portugal in the World Cup on November 24 ended with smiles as the Black Stars outclassed their Swiss counterparts at the multiple-purpose Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Coach Otto Addo started Lawrence Ati-Zigi in goal with a centre-back pair of Salisu Mohammed and Daniel Amartey flanked by Baba Abdul Rahman and Tariq Lamptey in a four-man defensive setup.
A midfield duo of Salis Abdul Samed and Elisha Owusu sat between the defence and the attackers who had Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Jordan Ayew playing either side of Andre Ayew with Inaki Williams spearheading the attack.
An eventful first half ended with the Swiss leading in ball control but changes from both sides in the second half benefitted Ghana more as one of the substitutes, Antoine Semenyo registered his debut goal for the Black Stars as well as asked many questions of the Swiss defence.
Antoine Semenyo, Daniel Kofi-Kyereh, Kamal Sowah and Kamaldeen Sulemana replace Elisha Owusu, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Iñaki Williams and Jordan Ayew in the second half.
Southampton centre-back Salisu Mohammed got Ghana the lead in the 70th minute with a header after the Swiss failed to deal well with a Ghana corner. Antoine Semenyo and Kamaldeen Sulemana linked up to get Ghana’s second four minutes later as Ghana extended its lead to 2-0.
Ghana will begin its campaign at the World Cup on Thursday with a game against Portugal a 4 pm GMT meanwhile, Switzerland will play host Cameroon also on Thursday at 10 am GMT.
