FT: AFCON 2015 Ghana 1 vrs Algeria 0

Published on: 23 January 2015
FT: AFCON 2015 Ghana 1 vrs Algeria 0
Ghana

It’s a crunch game for the Black Stars, who lost 2-1 to Senegal in their opener on Monday and must record a positive result to stay in quarterfinal contention.

Ghana’s starting line-up:

Razak Brimah, Harrison Afful, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, Jonathan Mensah, Afriyie Acquah, Christian Atsu, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Asamoah Gyan, Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew.

As for the Fennec Foxes, their 3-1 win over South Africa means they are sitting pretty at the top of the group. However, they will definitely not be taking the challenge of Ghana lightly.

The big team news for Ghana is the return to the line-up of Asamoah Gyan, as well as a return to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation from coach Avram Grant.

Christian Gourcuff has made three changes to the XI that started against SA, with Madjid Bougherra replacing Rafik Halliche in defence, while Ishak Belfodil and Saphir Taider replace Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani.

1'The match is underway!

2'Ghana wear their traditional all-white, Algeria are in all-green.

4'Ghoulam goes for goal from the set piece, but it drifts wide of the target.

5'Brahimi wins a free kick in a useful attacking position for Algeria.

6'This is good stuff from Algeria - lots of quick passing, lots of movement off the ball. Ghana are struggling to win any possession.

7'It's all Algeria in the early minutes, just as it was when they played South Africa.

8'The Fennec Foxes almost succeed in getting Belfodil in behind the defence.

9'Ghoulam goes for goal from the set piece, but it drifts wide of the target

Gyan tumbles under a challenge from Medjani but there's no free kick forthcoming. Should be quite the battle between those two...

11'Past the 10 minute mark now. Still goalless, but Algeria have definitely looked the better team at this early stage.

Belfodil does brilliantly to beat one defender's challenge but then carelessly gives the ball away while looking for a teammate.

12'Belfodil is flagged offside, ending a promising move from Algeria.

14'Brahimi delivers a ball into the Ghana box, headed clear by Atsu.

16'Gyan tumbles under a challenge from Medjani but there's no free kick forthcoming. Should be quite the battle between those two...

Brahimi is chopped down by Acquah in midfield, with the Ghanaian lucky not to be booked.

17'Afful with a chance to cross from the right, but he fails to beat the first defender.

18'Taider with a pull-back from the right by-line, Bentaleb with the shot... but he's scuffed it wide of the far post!

19'Brahimi wins another free kick inside the Ghanaian half. He's a difficult man to dispossess.

20'Belfodil does brilliantly to beat one defender's challenge but then carelessly gives the ball away while looking for a teammate.

21'Belfodil is flagged offside, ending a promising move from Algeria

Atsu with a cross from a corner kick, but it's well defended by the North Africans. 

22'Afriyie Acquah (Ghana) is cautioned. 

23'Past the midway point of the first half, still goalless in Mongomo.

24'Brahimi is chopped down by Acquah in midfield, with the Ghanaian lucky not to be booked.

25'Afful with a chance to cross from the right, but he fails to beat the first defender.

There's some bite in this game now... let's just hope we see some scoring chances in the near future.

31'No cards from the referee, just a talking-to.

30'There's an altercation between Agyemang-Badu and Belfodil that could see some cards produced...

28'Atsu with a cross from a corner kick, but it's well defended by the North Africans.

29'Belfodil looks to play a cute ball into the path of Brahimi, but Ghana just about do enough to stymie the Algerian attack.

30'Afful with a good cross from the right, Bougherra makes a great headed clearance ahead of Gyan.

31'Less than 10 minutes left of the first half. Algeria will probably be the happier of the two teams with proceedings thus far.

32'Neither coach looks particularly happy on the sidelines. It's not been a good match given the quality both of these sides possess.

34'There's some bite in this game now... let's just hope we see some scoring chances in the near future.

35'No cards from the referee, just a talking-to.

36There's an altercation between Agyemang-Badu and Belfodil that could see some cards produced.

Atsu with another corner kick, Medjani heads clear from the middle of the box. 

42'The game is opening up a little more in the dying minutes of the first half...

43'Belfodil looks to play a cute ball into the path of Brahimi, but Ghana just about do enough to stymie the Algerian attack

Atsu with another corner kick, Medjani heads clear from the middle of the box. 

44'The game is opening up a little more in the dying minutes of the first half.

Madjid Bougherra (Algeria) is cautioned. 

45'Atsu looks to turn in the box, Gyan gets a shot away... but it's blocked by an Algerian defender. Definitely Ghana's best attacking moment thus far.

43'Atsu with another corner kick, Medjani heads clear from the middle of the box. 

45'The game is opening up a little more in the dying minutes of the first half.

The second half is underway

Jordan Ayew break free down the left, cuts back inside and looks to shoot, but his effort is half blocked and easily collected by the 'keeper.

Mandi with a deep cross from the right, but Braimah makes a good catch.

50'Andre Ayew receives some treatment after having his foot trod on, but he's fine to play on.Mandi with a crucial header back to his goalkeeper as Ghana threaten again.

Mandi with a crucial header back to his goalkeeper as Ghana threaten again

Ghana: Mubarak Wakaso replaces Afriyie Acquah 

Algeria: Islam Slimani replaces Ishak Belfodil 

t's been Ghana's half so far, with the West Africans looking much livelier in attack.

Brahimi looks to chip a ball into the box but it ends up safely in the hands of the Ghana goalkeeper.

Andre Ayew fires a ball toward his brother in the box, whose back-heel almost finds the top corner!

Gyan through on goal but he's flagged offside. TV replays suggest it was probably a wrong call...

Algeria on the counter, Bentaleb shoots from the left of the box... just wide of the far post!

Algeria on the counter, Bentaleb shoots from the left of the box... just wide of the far post!

Wakaso crosses from a corner, headed clear by Bougherra. 

Another Ghana corner, this time it passes through the box untouched. 

Algeria: Riyad Mahrez replaces Medhi Lacen 

Andre Ayew with a free header in the box, but he puts it over! The cross from Atsu was just a touch too high for him...

Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria) is cautioned. 

72'Andre Ayew with a free header in the box, but he puts it over! The cross from Atsu was just a touch too high for him...

Jordan Ayew chips a ball into the box looking for Gyan, but it's straight into the hands of Mbolhi.

73'Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria) is cautioned.

Jordan Ayew chips a ball into the box looking for Gyan, but it's straight into the hands of Mbolhi.

73'Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria) is cautioned.

Ghana: Mahatma Otoo replaces Jordan Ayew 

Ghana: Mahatma Otoo replaces Jordan Ayew 

76'Mahrez with a left-footed shot from a tight angle... well wide of the goal.

Gyan shoots from the set piece... high and wide, really disappointing.

80'Free kick for Ghana from a potential shooting position...

Bougherra has to tidy up a poor defensive header that almost allows Gyan in on goal.

84'Ghana: Asante Solomon replaces Andre Ayew 

Algeria: Foued Kadir replaces Yacine Brahimi 

85'Bougherra has to tidy up a poor defensive header that almost allows Gyan in on goal.

Great defensive work by Mandi to quell the threat of Otoo.

88'It's looking like a goalless stalemate, certainly a better result for Algeria than Ghana.

A cross from Afful causes some consternation in the Algeria box, but Gyan can't quite get onto it.

89'Great defensive work by Mandi to quell the threat of Otoo.

A cross from Afful causes some consternation in the Algeria box, but Gyan can't quite get onto it.

89'Great defensive work by Mandi to quell the threat of Otoo.

90 + 2'Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) scores! 

Comments

  • PITO
    says: 9 years ago
    Jordan Ayew is not pulling his weight. He should be subbed for Accam to come on. This game is do or die and Accam is more motivated to prove himself! Bring Accam on for Jordan.
  • sam
    says: 9 years ago
    Yall see that useless Jordan running into defenders instead of watching the ball,why he play ahead of other players
  • PITO
    says: 9 years ago
    All players are doing well.Jordan needs to pull his weight. Afful needs to watch his crosses.
  • kantoose
    says: 9 years ago
    Jordan must be more active and movable. He is too stagnant. stuck on the ground. He should gallop and jump. Andre must charge forward more. Afriye acquah is good so far but yellow carded.
  • NONI(9JA 1ST SON)
    says: 9 years ago
    remember GHANA draw and they are out.... they lose they are also out 😀...... #just saying
  • kantoose
    says: 9 years ago
    hey Noni, and win loose or draw Nigeria is out. heheheheee
  • Jojo
    says: 9 years ago
    Where can I watch this match in the US
  • sam
    says: 9 years ago
    Really what kind of change is that,what is Jordan doing that impressed the coach
  • banger
    says: 9 years ago
    U can watch it on being sport
  • Jojo
    says: 9 years ago
    Thanks banger I'm watching!
  • Maxwell Johnson
    says: 9 years ago
    Aahhh!! AG Paa you allow an ineffective Jordan to play for an astonishing 77 mins before sub him?? Come again Mr. Manager.
  • Aubrey
    says: 9 years ago
    What a boring match.Goalkeepers are spectators.
  • Willg
    says: 9 years ago
    You Folks Shut up... Avram the Coach Knows what je Is doing Stop this Talking here and there u are All Never Satisfy. Allow them to do their Job. Now You see 1:0 FOR Ghana
  • Kk
    says: 9 years ago
    Thank you Gyan for hope, this group is not group of death at all, I am disappointed with the level of play.
  • millennium
    says: 9 years ago
    . Ghana has won the match by gyan's late strike. I am expecting to see noni to go naked. did anybody on this forum take a picture of his nakedness? Post it and let’s see what he has