Ghana Fail To Rescue Nations Cup Dream Website
After a fiercely contested encounter with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun, the Black Stars of Ghana have failed to annex points to enter the finals of the Nation’s Cup fiesta. The game started with good exchanges between the two sides. Hosts Ghana were indeed in action in the first game with a tough-looking fixture against a Camerounian team that has improved remarkably as the tournament progresses. The game started off on a very cagey note, tense and challenging from the very onset as both teams had good chances to register an opener. Cameroun threatened Ghana in the 26 minute with a shot but goalkeeper Kingston gave it a good catch. In what perhaps could have given Ghana an opener in the 28 minute Agogo pushed towards the Lion’s area, tried a service to Dramani but the utility player could not get any faster. Muntari, spiralled an ambitious shot goal but the ball was wide off the post of the Lions. Even though Ghana had brilliant chances in minutes to half-time, the Stars could not convert them. In the 45 minute a good pass from the wings into the goal area of the Indomitable Lions was given a header by the youngster Ayew Pele but went yards up the post. The hot contest entered half-time with the two teams considered dark horses to win the match still settling on a barren score line. The second half started with the two teams determined to run each other chewy. The Lions had a better formation and solid passes with the stars blending low passes with aerial balls. A 48 minute incursion into the Ghanaian goal area by the Lions nearly did the trick for the Lions but the Ghanaian defense was a strong wall. Michael Essien pulled up from defence in the 50th minute into a dangerous position in the Camerounian area but was brought down by the Lions’ Atuba in the penalty area. A penalty sought, penalty denied. Agogo rather reached the ball too late in 51 minute when a beautiful cross from the wings landed in the hands of the Lions’ goalkeeper. But for a smart clearance by Essien, an offside bid by the Lions would have seen them make an opener in the 53 minute. This was closely followed by another smart Lions’ move when a clean network in the 54 minute into the Ghainaian area was quashed by the defense. Ayew’s smart attempt to go past the Lion’s team in the 59 minute could not yield any result seconds after which Agogo's was brought down after a powerful dive in the penalty area of the Lions. A great opportunity to register a corner-borne score was nullified in the 62 minute when the Ghanaian defender gave the ball a bad hit. The 65 minute saw another beautiful corner that should have given Ghana the lead but Essien’s header could not convert it. With 20 minutes to go, a brilliant exchange by the Camerounians saw the Lions registering an opener by Nkon. Several substitutions were recorded in the rather tough contest but it was obvious those of the Lions worked better for them. Ghana had good chances in the game minutes to the end of proceedings but had a hard time in all situations. Baffour Gyan’s cycle kick in the 78 minute could have made an equalizer but went far off from the Lions’ post. An Agogo header from a free kick in the 83 minute was inches up the woodwork of the Lions, an opportunity that should have been too hard to waste. Spectacular football, great opportunities for the Stars, equal chances for the Lions, but difference lay in the failure of the host to qualify for the final “bout.” They failed to do what their Camerounian counterparts did, convert the chances.
Source: MJFM
