Stars fail to beat Cranes in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier
Ghana’s Black Stars failed to shine at the Tamale Stadium yesterday when they were held to a goalless draw by The Cranes of Uganda in their opening Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
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The result turned out to be the first time the Stars had drawn in an international match at the Tamale Stadium.
Fans who thronged the stadium to cheer the Stars left disappointed after witnessing a below par performance by the players.
On the day, the tactical play of the Ugandan coach, Mili Micho Sredojvic, worked to perfection as he seized the midfield, thus keeping the Stars’ midfield duo of Mubarak Wakaso and Afriyie Acquah from distributing the needed passes to skipper Asamoah Gyan and Jordan Ayew to score.
The Serbian coach also made it impossible for Baba Rahman and Harrison Afful to operate from the flanks and send in crosses to Gyan to cause the necessary havoc.
The worst culprit on the day was Jordan who wasted some good chances in the 37th, 68th and 80th minutes through hesitation or shooting wide.
In the 60th minute, Coach Avram Grant brought on Emmanuel Agyemang Badu for Afriyie Acquah who was stretchered off the pitch following a muscle pull. Frank Acheampong also gave way to Jeffrey Schlupp and Christian Atsu for Majeed Waris in the 76th and 79th minutes respectively but that could not alter the style of play of the Stars as they failed to create any decent chances till the match ended.
Ghana: Razak Braimah. Asamoah Gyan, Harrison Afful, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, John Boye, Afriyie Acquah/Agyemang Badu, Christian Atsu/Majeed Waris, Wakaso Mubarak, Jordan Ayew, Frank Acheampong/Jeffrey Schlupp.
