Bonfrere blasts Nigeria after draw

Nigeria coach Jo Bonfrere criticised his side after they were held 0-0 by Ghana in a World Cup qualifier on Sunday.

Only some superb goalkeeping by Ike Shorounmu and poor finishing by striker Victor Agali prevented a Ghana victory in the African group B clash.

"Normally we should have won this match but our movements were slow and some of the players didn't fight or display commitment as much as possible," said Dutch-born Bonfrere. "So, it became a difficult game overall." Bonfrere's disappointment contrasted sharply to that of Ghana's coach Jones Attuquayefio, who picked his team mainly from Accra club Hearts of Oak.

Attuquayefio said: "You can say this is the rebirth of Ghanaian football and we have to develop on what we have. In this match, the local players showed they can be as good as anybody if given the opportunity." The Ghanaians were faster and more inventive than Nigeria. Their two best chances fell to Agali but he headed one narrowly wide and blasted the second over the bar in front of an empty goal.

The result left third-placed Nigeria with seven points from four games, two behind Liberia and Sudan. Ghana have four points and are fourth above bottom side Sierra Leone.