Player rating: Burkina Faso 0-2 Ghana

The Black Satellites of Ghana cruised to a supersonic start in the ongoing U20 AFCON with a brilliant 2-0 win over neighbours Burkina Faso on Monday at the Stade de Maradi, Niger.

The game which was originally scheduled for Sunday was called off due to the inability of the floodlights to work, forcing the game to be played on Monday.

A brace from WAFA striker Daniel Lomotey was enough for the Ghanaians to pick top spot in the group, same on level with Senegal who also whipped Mali 2-0 on Sunday.

FootballMadeInGhana.com takes a look at the individual performance of the players of both teams, scoring each player’s performance out of ten marks.

Ghana

Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (GK) – 7

He had a great game despite his quick outings which were scary on some occasions. He pulled three brilliant saves in the second half to deny the Burkinabes from reducing the tally. He had a great game.

Maxwell Arthur – 5

Arthur had a great outing in the first half but was troubled by the Burkinabe’s in the second half with their substitutions. He made some dangerous crosses in the first half which could have given Ghana the lead.

Montari Kamaheni – 7

One of the brightest spots for the Black Satellites. He had his passes right and surged forward in style. His crosses were apt and created a lot of trouble for Burkina Faso. He won several free kicks for Ghana and always looked dangerous on the flanks.

Ishaku Konda – 5

Konda was defensively good with his aerial balls and his long passing. He was strong and resolute but he showed lack of confidence in his tackles.

Gideon Mensah – 5

Just like his center back pair, Gideon also scored five. He was strong on the ball, aggressive and very combative. He stopped Burkina’s Tapsoba who came from the bench from causing mayhem. But his overconfidence would have cost Ghana if Burkina Faso had a prolific striker.

Sabit Abdulai – 6

He had a good game, pulled some wonderful drives in both halves and had two shots on target out of Ghana’s total of six. He was strong with the ball but was not really combative as a holding midfielder.

Sadiq Ibrahim – 5

Sadiq started the game well and pulled some brilliant crosses together. He was swift on the ball and caused a lot of problems for Burkina Faso in the first half. But he lost steam and was substituted at the mouth of the second half.

Emmanuel Kumah – 5

Was not very impressive as many had expected. He won a lot of tackles but failed to hold the midfield together by stringing passes together.

Kudus Mohammed – 6

He started the game well but played to the cheers instead of playing with the team. He held on to the ball for too long and had problems with decision making. He was however good going forward and tested the Burkina Faso goalie with some teasing passes.

Daniel Lomotey – 8

Had a brace to win the game for Ghana. He was very productive in his role as a striker and always kept an eye on the Burkina Faso center backs, hence getting the brace through defensive blunders.

Enock Atta Agyei – 4

Not overly impressive in the game and failed to tease his marker out of the defensive area. He hardly made a cross or register any serious and threatening attack at the Burkina Faso defenders.

Subs

Emmanuel Toku – 4

Came on in the second half and was impressive. His inclusion sent shivers down the spine of the Burkinabes. His swift runs and beautiful incursions were good.

Prosper Ahiabu and Michael Baidoo came on with less than ten minutes to end the game. Their impact on the team was not felt.

Burkina Faso

Mohammed Traore (GK) – 3

Troare had a poor outing and his communication with his defenders was not apt. He conceded two avoidable goals.

Kabore Issah – 3

He couldn’t live up to the billing. He hardly made some crosses as he was resorted to only defending.

Gilbert Kone – 2

Kabore was not impressive. His poor outing gave Arthur the chance to always surge towards the Burkina Faso eighteen box. He had a poor outing. He, on two occasions, committed blunders that gave Ghana the two goals.

Issiaka Ouedraogo – 3

Poor defending and weak partnership with Kone. He struggled to tailor passes together as well.

Kabore Landry – 3

Defended poorly just like his counterparts. His tackles were poor and he struggled to handle aerial duels.

Kalifa Nikiema – 4

He failed to hold Kudus Mohammed as that looked his core mandate. He run a lot in the game but was not productive.

Ibrahima Bance – 2

Was very disappointing leading to his early substitution even before the break.

Cyril Tiendrebeogo – 6

He did not disappoint himself despite a poor show by his team. As skipper of the side, he fought hard and his moves were relatively dangerous.

Elliass Dianda – 3

Not very impressive. Poor in his passing and could hardly hold the ball. His poor show explained his substitution.

Cheick Ouattara – 4

Lasted the entire duration of the game but hardly made a huge impact. He just couldn’t wrap his head around Ghana’s Montari.

Salifou Diarrassouba – 3

Failed to land a shot on target despite lasting the full throttle. He was poor and posed no threat to Ghana.

Subs

Fessal Tapsoba – 4

Came from the bench but was a handful for the Ghana center backs. He pulled some shots together for Burkina Faso and really tested the Ghana goalie.

Hugo Passega – 4

Another substitute who impacted positively on the Burkina Faso side. His runs were impressive and tried a few shots. He was swift and drove in some nice crosses.