Accra (Greater Accra), 14th June --
Ghanaian-born Marcel Desailly, led a star studded Africa XI side to draw 3-3 with a locally dominated Black Stars team in a special soccer match dubbed "Marcel Desailly France 1998 World Cup Winning celebration in Ghana" at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday night.
The match, organised by the Paris-based Sports and Cultural Association and telecast live to more than 30 countries, is the player's way of saying "thank you" to Ghanaians for the moral support given to him and the French national team as a whole in winning the '98 world cup.
Proceeds of the match will be donated to the Korle-bu Teaching hospital.
Former Camerounian international Roger Milla set the stadium ablaze with an immaculate bicycle kick to register the first goal for the Africa XI.
It was a 10th minute strike after 1995 world best player, George Oppon Weah's lob into the penalty area.
Barely four minutes after that spectacular goal, Black Stars striker Felix Aboagye levelled up for his side.
Midfielder Godwin Ablordey gave a pass to Aboagye who sneaked through the well-organised defence of Africans Xl but goalkeeper Antoine Bell slipped in an attempt to save the situation, leaving Aboagye tap the ball into the empty net.
After that equaliser the Star studded Africa XI mesmerised the Black Stars with individual skills to the applause of the over 40,000 spectators at the stadium.
As a result, ex-Blacks Stars skipper, Abedi Pele and Oppon Weah became targets of rough play.
Back from recess, Africa XI scored two quick goals in the 68th and 73rd minutes. Liberian International Joe Nagbe finished off a free kick by substitute Kofi Abbrey while Ivorian international Ibrahim Bakayoko nodded home the third goal for his side from a corner kick taken by Abbrey.
Abbrey, ex-Black Stars left winger who came on for Milla combined beautifully with Weah at the left flank and could have increased the tally but over-elaboration robbed cost them the goals.
The Stars put up a last minute fight to cancel the two goals deficit as a 76th minute shot from Sam Johnson and a 90th minute penalty converted by Ablordey ensured that the Stars drew up level with their celebrated opponents.
Line up (Stars): Richard Kingston/James Nanor, Sam Johnson, Eben Dogbartey, Mohammed Gargo, Foster Bastios/Alex Djame, Jacob Nettey/Felix Yeboah, Justice Ampah/Yaw Serbeh, Charles Sampson/Eugene Addo, Godwin Ablordey, Osei Kwame, Felix Aboagye.
Africa XI: Antoine Bell/Constant Mantey, Heresson Bernad, Frank Atsou, Marcel Desailly/Tenasi Frank, Joe Nagbe, Mahouve Marcel, Abedi Pele/Prince Daye, George Oppon Weah, Roger Milla/Kofi Abbrey, Ibrahim Bakayoko, Miage Willie.
GRi
