Player Ratings on GHANA/NIGERIA Match

1. Richard Kingston (8/10): Pulled off two vital saves in the first half with the score at 0-0. Made some more saves in the second half but could do nothing about Taye Taiwo’s penalty. Another great game.

2. Hans Adu Sarpei (7/10): Found the going a little tough in the first half, but remained solid. Moved to left back in the second half and was a revelation. Might be a threat to Habib Mohammed at this rate.

3. Habib Mohammed (6/10): Had a torrid time with John Utaka in the first half. Recovery rate still needs to be worked on by the young defender, who time and again had to be covered by Shilla Illiasu.

4. Illiasu Shilla (8/10): Marked his return from injury with an assured display. Worked overtime in the first half covering Habib Mohammed. His anticipation was almost always spot-on.

5. John Mensah (8/10): Once again formed an excellent partnership with Illiasu at the heart of Ghana’s defence. Was strong in the air and rarely beaten by Nigeria’s forwards. Truly a rock of Gibraltar!

6. Laryea Kingston (STAR MAN: 9/10): Played out of his skin for the Black Stars. Was everywhere, crossing, tackling, running. Crowned a superlative performance with a cracking goal.

7. Michael Essien (8/10): Played well despite taking an early knock. Policed the back four with his usual efficiency and virtually drove the Ghana midfield engine with wonderful passes and surging runs. Would have scored but for a moment of indecision.

8. Stephen Appiah (8/10): Freed by Essien’s work in midfield, the Fenerbahce playmaker displayed the full array of his playmaking skills.Not afraid of putting his foot in, helping to limit the effectiveness of John Obi Mikel.An excellent performance.

9. Sulley Muntari (8/10): Constantly probed with soccer wizardry and was cheered for nutmegging John Obi Mikel in the first half.Stepped up a gear after the break and scored a great goal from a tight angle. The Nigerians just couldn’t live with him.

10. Asamoah Gyan (8.5/10): Run Laryea Kingston close for the man-of-the-match award. Missed two clear opportunities but led the line superbly well. Was very mobile and had a hand in three of the four goals scored by Ghana.

11. Junior Agogo (7.5/10): Initially found Joseph Yobo hard to deal with, but grew in confidence and began to hold up the ball well. Was in the right place at the right time to slot home Gyan’s cross for his second goal in two games.

12. Joe Tex Frimpong (7/10): Made an instant impact by scoring soon after replacing Agogo. His guile proved a problem for the Nigerian defence.

13. John Paintsil (7/10): Sealed up the right side of defence for Ghana after coming on and showed tremendous skill in defending and attacking.

14. Eric Addo (-/10): Helped to stem the Nigerian wave of attacks after replacing Appiah. Did well.

15. Francis Dickoh (-/10): With the game safe, he helped shut up shop for the Black Stars. Did well in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role.

16. Derek Asamoah (-/10): Lots of enthusiasm but little end product. Will need to improve to keep his place in the Ghana squad.

Coach Claude Le Roy (8/10): A memorable birthday for the 59-year-old Frenchman. Whatever he said to the boys at halftime surely did the trick, with a four-star performance by the players in the second half. Still unbeaten in four games.

1. Richard Kingston (8/10): Pulled off two vital saves in the first half with the score at 0-0. Made some more saves in the second half but could do nothing about Taye Taiwo’s penalty. Another great game.

2. Hans Adu Sarpei (7/10): Found the going a little tough in the first half, but remained solid. Moved to left back in the second half and was a revelation. Might be a threat to Habib Mohammed at this rate.

3. Habib Mohammed (6/10): Had a torrid time with John Utaka in the first half. Recovery rate still needs to be worked on by the young defender, who time and again had to be covered by Shilla Illiasu.

4. Illiasu Shilla (8/10): Marked his return from injury with an assured display. Worked overtime in the first half covering Habib Mohammed. His anticipation was almost always spot-on.

5. John Mensah (8/10): Once again formed an excellent partnership with Illiasu at the heart of Ghana’s defence. Was strong in the air and rarely beaten by Nigeria’s forwards. Truly a rock of Gibraltar!

6. Laryea Kingston (STAR MAN: 9/10): Played out of his skin for the Black Stars. Was everywhere, crossing, tackling, running. Crowned a superlative performance with a cracking goal.

7. Michael Essien (8/10): Played well despite taking an early knock. Policed the back four with his usual efficiency and virtually drove the Ghana midfield engine with wonderful passes and surging runs. Would have scored but for a moment of indecision.

8. Stephen Appiah (8/10): Freed by Essien’s work in midfield, the Fenerbahce playmaker displayed the full array of his playmaking skills.Not afraid of putting his foot in, helping to limit the effectiveness of John Obi Mikel.An excellent performance.

9. Sulley Muntari (8/10): Constantly probed with soccer wizardry and was cheered for nutmegging John Obi Mikel in the first half.Stepped up a gear after the break and scored a great goal from a tight angle. The Nigerians just couldn’t live with him.

10. Asamoah Gyan (8.5/10): Run Laryea Kingston close for the man-of-the-match award. Missed two clear opportunities but led the line superbly well. Was very mobile and had a hand in three of the four goals scored by Ghana.

11. Junior Agogo (7.5/10): Initially found Joseph Yobo hard to deal with, but grew in confidence and began to hold up the ball well. Was in the right place at the right time to slot home Gyan’s cross for his second goal in two games.

12. Joe Tex Frimpong (7/10): Made an instant impact by scoring soon after replacing Agogo. His guile proved a problem for the Nigerian defence.

13. John Paintsil (7/10): Sealed up the right side of defence for Ghana after coming on and showed tremendous skill in defending and attacking.

14. Eric Addo (-/10): Helped to stem the Nigerian wave of attacks after replacing Appiah. Did well.

15. Francis Dickoh (-/10): With the game safe, he helped shut up shop for the Black Stars. Did well in an unfamiliar defensive midfield role.

16. Derek Asamoah (-/10): Lots of enthusiasm but little end product. Will need to improve to keep his place in the Ghana squad.

Coach Claude Le Roy (8/10): A memorable birthday for the 59-year-old Frenchman. Whatever he said to the boys at halftime surely did the trick, with a four-star performance by the players in the second half. Still unbeaten in four games.