Adomah saves Ghana blushes in Washington

Ghana and Canada settled for a 1-1 stalemate in an international friendly match played on Tuesday night.

Albert Adomah levelled for the Black Stars after Marcel De Jong long-range effort had given the Canucks the lead at the RFK Stadium in Washington DC, USA.

In the absence of several key players including Asamoah Gyan, Andre Ayew, Christian Atsu, Baba Rahman, Jonathan Mensah and Kwadwo Asamoah, coach Avram Grant opted for squad players, who hardly get game action in a normal situation.

Edwin Gyimah started in the heart of defence alongside John Boye, Agyemang Badu partnered Mubarak Wakaso in midfield, while there were also places for Bernard Mensah and David Accam.

Canada boss Benito Floro handed Queens Park Rangers’ man David Junior Hoilett, Wandrille Lefevre, Kianz Foese and Charlie Trafford their debut starts.

The Black Stars started slightly on top with an early spell of possession.

However, the Canadians had the first real chance of the game when Hoilett broke from the left before seeing his shot blocked by Ghana goalkeeper Razak Brimah who produced a follow-up save on Tosaint Ricketts’ rebound.

Mensah then tested Canada shot-stopper Kenny Stamatopoulos from a free-kick after Jordan Ayew was brought down around the 18-yard box, but his shot caused little danger.

Canada, however, made it count when they came calling again, as Marcel De Jong saw his free-kick from 35 yards out beat Brimah for the opening goal of the match on 29 minutes.

Ghana, nonetheless, drew parity before the end of the first half when Albert Adomah finished off a neat move on the stroke of half time.

Minutes into the second half, Grant introduced Majeed Waris for Mensah, Afriyie Acquah for Wakaso and debutants Phil Ofosu-Ayeh and Lloyd Sam for Harrison Afful and Adomah respectively.

However, Canadians continued their dominance with Lucas Cavellini coming close.

On the other hand, Jeffery Schlupp and Acquah wasted chances to put the Black Stars ahead as the referee whistled to bring the game to an end.