Summary: Black Stars beat Mauritania 3-1 in friendly

Sports News from Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Source: Graphic.com.gh

2019-03-27

The Ghana Black Stars recently burst the bubble of a stubborn Mauritania team with a score of 3 to 1 in their international friendly match at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The goals of Kwesi Appiah, Caleb Ekuban and Thomas Partey allowed the Stars to avoid any embarrbadment and criticism from spectators who were not convinced by the performances of the Ghanaian team.

Coach Kwasi Appiah made nine changes to the team that beat Kenya in the last qualifying match for DRC on Saturday, with Lumor Agbenyenu and Thomas Partey being the only players to have started both matches.

And it turned out that debutants Alhbadan Wakaso, Amos Frimpong, Joseph Aidoo and Kwame Bonsu, who arrived later in the second half, justified their appointment as coach who will train his team for the next CAN in three months.

The second Ghanaian channel was slow in the first half but, ironically, it opened the scoring in the second minute when striker Appiah scored from a shot on goal after being the victim of a foul. a fault in the surface.

The Mauritanians immediately conquered the midfield and dominated the game with their consistent motive for the fans' delight. Jeffrey Schlupp (Crystal Palace) and Alfred Duncan (Italy), in particular, struggled to find the center.

It was only in the 24th minute, when Ghana launched its first attack, that Appiah spotted Agbenyenu on the far left, but his shot on goal narrowly missed the target.

Mauritania also made a brilliant run into the Stars' goal zone a few minutes later when Anne Soulaymane forced her way into the box, but a timely interception by Nicholas Opoku helped prevent any damage.

The Stars showed nervousness at the back and were forced to defend desperately in the 34th minute when Joseph Aidoo, under pressure, lost possession of the ball to quickly recover to the relief of local fans.

Aware of the danger, coach Appiah decided to strengthen his team with players tested in the second half, which changed the dynamics of the match.

Christian Atsu and Ekuban were presented for Ernest Asante and Appiah, respectively, at the resumption of their work.

Mubarak Wakaso, Jordan Ayew and Kwame Bonsu were also featured later in the match.

Two minutes into the second period, the visitors equalized from a free kick shot from behind the box, while Ba Adama deflected the ball over the human wall on the blind side of goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, who then gave way to Felix Annan of Asante Kotoko. .

The changes made at the right time tipped the scales in favor of the Stars, who put pressure on visitors. Mubarak Wakaso collaborated effectively with Atsu with agile feet and skipper Thomas Partey to exploit the fragility of the left flank.

That quickly paid off with two goals in the 69th and 71st minutes.

Ekuban, who replaced his second international selection, scored his second goal in four days, coming from Agbenyenu.

Two minutes later, Partey, who had missed several opportunities earlier, also found his name on the scoresheet when Atsu ran to the left and released Ekuban, who starred Atletico star Madrid for fire on the roof of the net.