Madagascar delay Ghana’s AFCON party
Ghana's Black Stars were left disappointed as their hope of securing an early qualification to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was dashed by a goalless draw against Madagascar in their qualifiers yesterday.
Advertisement
Despite the result, Ghana still sits at the top of Group E with nine points from five matches, closely followed by Angola with eight points after their 2-1 victory over the third-placed Central African Republic, who currently have seven points. The intense competition in the group means that Coach Chris Hughton's side must secure a win in their final match against Central African Republic in September to secure qualification for the continental showpiece in Cote d'Ivoire next year.
Led by Captain Andre Ayew, Ghana dominated possession in the first half but struggled to create scoring opportunities, failing to record a shot on target throughout the game. The introduction of their talisman, Kudus Mohammed, and the impressive run of youngster Ernest Nuamah failed to spark a significant improvement in Ghana's performance.
Despite a positive start and mounting pressure on the hosts, Ghana lacked the cutting edge to break through Madagascar's solid defence, anchored by Fabian Boyer and Rajo Razafindraibeharimihanta. While Ghana occasionally threatened their opponent, their final touch lacked the quality required to trouble the home side.
By the seventh minute, the Black Stars had gained control of the game winning several fouls and two quick corner kicks, which they failed to utilise. And in one of their attacks, centre-back Joseph Aidoo located Kamaleen Sulemana with a long searching pass at the far right to allow a pacey winger to cut into the Madagascar box only for the defenders to clear their lines.
Madagascar, buoyed by the support of their home crowd, grew in confidence as the match progressed and took the game to the Ghanaians. Defenders Daniel Amartey, Joseph Aidoo and Patrick Kpozo were kept on their toes as Madagascar pressed forward.
Occasionally, Ghana made some threatening moves, but the final touch lacked the quality to trouble the home side with Sulemana and Joseph Paintsil attacking from the flanks and supported in deep midfield by Andre Ayew.
The hosts gave Ghana some scary moments, but Amartey was resolute in defence as he stood between Madagascar forward Dorian Bertrand from scoring early in the second half while goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi also made a timely save to deny Charles Andriamahitsinoro from finding the back of the net.
Later in the second half, Coach Hughton handed teenage sensation, Ernest Nuamah, his international debut by replacing Sulemana and immediately the gifted 19-year-old FC Nordsjælland winger added some urgency to the team’s attack to keep Madagascar at bay.
In the 56th minute, midfielder Thomas Partey nearly fetched the opener for Ghana from a free-kick, but his 25-yard thunderbolt was punched out by goalkeeper, Zakanirina Rakotoasimbola in what was the clearest chance yet by Ghana.
In their desperate attempt to score, the Ghanaians attacked en-bloc leaving the rear unguarded and allowing Madagascar to resort to counter-attacks, one of which nearly paid off when Bertrand outwitted the offside trap but run into Aidoo who snuffed out the chance.
Despite having no chance to qualify, the hosts played for pride and five minutes to end regulation time, Ati Zigi once again pulled off a fabulous save from Tantely Rabarijaona’s long free-kick to help Ghana walk away with a point.
