How the Black Stars fared against Sudan

The Black Stars of Ghana on Sunday walloped their Sudanese counterparts 4-0 in their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

It was a game that saw former England youth international Emmanuel Frimpong making his debut for the Black Stars.


Let’s assess the team based on individual performance to vividly get a clear picture of what transpired.


Fatau Dauda – Goalkeeper


The AshGold goalkeeper although not seriously threatened on the day, his demeanour, communication, reflexes and decision making was excellent. This is a hallmark of a brilliant goalkeeper and any plaudit is well merited. He is credited 55% for his work rate because he was not put to the test.


Richard Kisi Boateng - Left Back


Another talented player who is gradually warming himself into the team; on the day his defensive prowess were superb, but always found wanton when the team is surging forward. He was stationed at the left back position and never surged forward to help in attack. No pull out was credited to him at the end, which is unusual of a Ghanaian left-back. He scored 55% in that regard.

Harrison Afful - Right Back


As tinny as he is, he has undoubtedly been one of the few players who always lives up to the billing when the mantle is left on their shoulders. As usual, the Esperance rearguard marshaled the left-back brilliantly; his surging runs were exceptional and indeed well calculated pull outs that resulted in Wakaso’s goal. He scores 67% for his gallant display.


John Boye - Center Back


Although at times he becomes over confident, he was cautious this time round knowing for sure the task ahead. Her combined effectively with his partner at the heart of the defense. He was good with all aerial balls that came his way and excellently opens up to initiate the game when Dauda grabs the ball. He exhibited a high sense of maturity earning him 70%.


Isaac Vorsah - Center Back He is my man-of-the-match irrespective of the sudden demise of his beloved father on Monday. Vorsah was able to play his heart out resulting in Ghana not conceding. He was used as a Lebro in the Ghanaian set up, where he was always seen behind doing the necessary mop-up and he did it up to expectation. He had 80% marks in his basket.


Rabiu Alhassan Mohammed – Midfielder The former Liberty Professionals player has become pivotal in the Ghanaian set up. He operates as the engine of the team, serving as shield to the defenders. In the game though he did not last the entire duration his presence was felt. He won all 50-50 balls, collapsed all the Sudanese attack and did a very good distribution as well. He secured 67% mark for a great job done.

Wakaso Mubarak – Midfielder


As forceful as always he was at his peak again, a good set piece resulting in Gyan’s goal and another text book grounder from outside the 18-yard box to record home his goal and Ghana’s second. He was very aggressive and managed to catch the opponent on the break at a point in time via his long and incisive passes. He merits 70% for a good display.


Kwadwo Asamoah – Midfielder The least said about him the better. He performs creditably for Juventus but whenever he is in the Black Stars jersey he underperforms. He was sluggish, looks heavy and above all was also responsible for giving out too many faulty passes. He goes forward when attacking but dropping back to support the defenders was a problem; I think he deserves 59% following his working.


Sulley Muntari – Midfielder


After missing in action for sometime due to injury, he made his return but it never appeared he was making a return after all. He was very purposeful upfront with his long drives and also defended very well when the opponent is in control. He is also awarded 60% for his total output.


Asamoah Gyan – Attacker Clearly, the Gyan we know three or four years ago is different from the Gyan we saw playing. Today’s Gyan is heavy, lacks pace and touch-wood looks more like a humorist than a footballer. In the game, he played for only 15 minutes resulting in his goal afterwards he was missing in action. His work rate after the first 15 minutes was zero. His effort is worth 45%.

Abdul Majeed Waris –Attacker He came into the game as Ghana’s most prolific striker having to his credit the goal king and player of the season in Sweden resulting in his move to Spartak Moscow this season. On the day he was missing in action throughout the first half but proved what he is made of in the second half when we adopted the 4-2-3-1 formation. He became a thorn in the flesh of the Sudanese defense regarding his endurance, pace and agility. Aside his magnificent goal he also won clear penalty which was disallowed. For his excellent display he is dashed 68%.


Substitutes


Emmanuel Frimpong - Midfielder Nothing really showed that indeed it was his debut game. He brought to bear the quick ‘one-two’ play in British parlance. He was not seen too much in the game because he hardly wastes time on the ball, which is a typical British style. Defensive-wise he was not bad scoring 58% for a good show.


Emmanuel Agyeman Badu – Midfielder


This is a player who never relaxes, very determined and always gives out his best when fielded and this game was no exception. Although he was brought on in the second half he proved why unarguably he is touted as one of the finest midfielders in the country. His surging runs were good; he added power to the game and was always quick to defend when his side loses control. No wonder he wrote his name on the score sheet. His effort is worth 62%.


Solomon Asante –Midfielder

He is very swift when played in his rightful position but in this game perhaps because he was brought on late we did not see much of him. He tried to outwit his opponents on some few occasions which never materialised but was able to combine some effective short passes with his colleagues which are worth commending on that note he earns 52% to his credit.


Kwesi Appiah – Coach


Indeed he is one of the finest technical brains the country has ever produced, losing the Afcon trophy does not make him a bad coach. On the day, he adopted two significant game formations: the 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 and in fact they were well executed.


He also got his cards right by starting the debutants from the bench. This is the hallmark of a good coach, since the players are new to the environment they have to go through the adaptation process before starting them and that is exactly what he did. He has 95% for his effort.