By Akyereko Frimpong Manson
Follow Akyereko on Twitter: @AkyerekOfficial
Stand-in captain Andre Ayew converted an early-minute penalty for Ghana but Senegal's Teranga Lions fought back to snatch a late winner at the Estadio de Mongomo to toughen matters for Avram Grant's men.
Ayew had blazed home a 14th minute penalty won by Everton winger Christian Atsu after goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul clipped his legs inside the box. But former Manchester United forward Mame Biram Diouf levelled for Senegal in the 53rd minute.
Just when Ghana thought they were ending the game with a point Moussa Sow exploited the weakness in the Black Stars' backline to stun Grant and the entire Ghana fraternity on attendance.
GHANAsoccernet.com runs the rule over how the players fared in their opening game in an entertainment-sapping tie.
RAZAK BRIMAH (GOALKEEPER) 5
Looked nervous at times and was almost caught out more than half a dozen. Though he made some brilliant stops in the course of the game.
HARRISON AFFUL (RIGHT-BACK) 5
The pocket-size full-back was made to work and struggled to establish himself against Stéphane Badji and Papa N'Diaye Souaré who constantly raided his area.
BABA RAHMAN (LEFT-BACK) 5
Per his standards from the Bundesliga, a flat performance from the Augsburg man. He failed to use his pacey ammunition and drive his opponents back into their line.
AWAL MOHAMMED (CENTER-BACK) 5
Somehow solid in aerial control but he together with Amartey were all worried at most parts of the second-half by ominous threats of Diuof and N'Doye.
DANIEL AMARTEY (CENTER-BACK) 5
Traditionally a central midfielder but his versatility allowed him to play in central defence while Jonathan Mensah was shifted to a central midfield role. Didn't look too confident in the space on his debut major game.
JONATHAN MENSAH (DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD) 4.5
Not a great day for the Evian TG defender who was made to play as a defensive shield to the back-four. He was reduced to occasionally drawing back to join the central defence and creating incertitude between Amartey and Awal.
RABIU MOHAMMED (MIDFIELD) 4.5
Worked hard along Agyemang-Badu but struggled to impose himself in the midfield. He was limited to making late challenges and competing for balls. Failed to boss the midfield.
EMMANUEL AGYEMANG-BADU (RIGHT MIDFIELD) 5.5
The Udinese man was all-running in midfield and covered more distance than any other player in the Ghana team. However, he could not turn his high-energy plays into chances.
CHRISTIAN ATSU (LEFT MIDFIELD) 5.5
The on-loan Chelsea midfielder won a penalty for Ghana in the 13th minute after exploiting an opportunity at the Senegalese backline and causing Bouna to foul him.
ANDRE AYEW (FREE ROLE) 6
Probably Ghana's best man on the pitch. He took matters into his hands when he converted the penalty in the 14th minute. He burned more energies and caused problems for the Senegalese defenders.
JORDAN AYEW (FORWARD) 4.5
Not as lively as a lone-ranger in a 4-1-4-1 formation should play. Jordan failed to cause problems for the Senegalese defence and could not get more than a shot on target.
SUBSTITUTES
WAKASO MUBARAK - 5.5
Came on to replace Christian Atsu and demonstrated good aggression.
AFRIYIE ACQUAH - 4
Got to play just the last seven minutes of the game.
DAVID ACCAM - 4
Played the last two minutes and added-time.
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