[ 2014-01-30 ]

Abeiku Ainooson picked the MVP award

How the Stars rated against Nigeria after the shoot-out triumph in Bloemfontein
The Local Black Stars’ gallatry ensured they
marched on to a 4-1 shoot-out victory over Nigeria
to confirm Ghana’s superiority over the West
African rivals.

Stephen Adams and Asiedu Attobrah hogged the
headlines at the Free State Stadium after a
ten-man Ghana side managed to hold Stephen
Keshie’s men throughout the regulation minutes
in a 0-0 stalemate before marching on to a 4-1
triumph on shoot-out.

Though Abeiku Ainooson won the Man-of-the-Match
award.

GHANAsoccernet.com rates the performance of
Maxwell Konadu’s men.

Stephen Adams – 7.5

What a tournament he has had in South Africa.
Ghana’s subsequent shoot-out victory can solely
be credited to agility. The Aduana Stars
shot-stopper pulled an unbelievable stop in
extra-time added-time to help Ghana stay in the
game.

He has put himself in strong contention for a
place in Kwesi Appiah’s final squad for the 2014
World Cup as he now poses a considerable challenge
to Fatau Dauda and Adam Kwarasey.

Abeiku Ainooson – 7

After Kwabena Adusei’s sending off, the Asante
Kotoko full-back came to live in the game as he
had to multi-task. He was powerfully strong in
tackles and not afraid to get forward and also
treated the Nigerian forward lines with a fist of
iron.

Tijani Joshua – 7

Combining duties in a difficult game like this
always demand something special and dedication and
the All Stars defender made a big statement about
his ability. Slotted effortlessly into the centre
of the back four, showing good understanding with
Nuru Sule after Adusei’s dismissal. Great
player!

Nuru Sule – 7

Saw two of his free headers directed waywards from
inside the Nigerian box. Calmness personified at
the heart of Ghana’s backline during late
second-half onslaught but was strong and efficient
in his tackles. Did not shirk challenge of keeping
the Nigerian strikeforce quiet.

Kwabena Adusei – 5

The Asante Kotoko defender’s fate was always
clear from the start. He went into tackles with
suicidal strength and his challenges were really
reckless.

Picked bookings in either halves and got kicked
out of the game by the Zambian referee.

Michael Akuffo – 7

Inspirer! Exceptional from the penalty spot. At
his best bombing forward from Ghana’s midfield
especially in the first half but limited to
defending in most parts of the second-half and the
extra-time.

Took leadership responsibilities after Jordan
Opoku was replaced.

Jordan Opoku – 6.5

The Asante Kotoko midfielder capped a superb
performance from midfield with his exceptional
defence-splitting passes. Powerful box-to-box
display.

Asiedu Attobrah – 8

Undoubtedly Ghana’s best performer on the night.
The New Edubiase man had something special on the
offer. His well-struck penalty handed victory to
Ghana after the Nigerians have missed twice. After
Ghana’s numerical disadvantage, it was Attobrah
who made the difference.

Theophilus Anobaah – 7

The former Ghana U17 invitee had fearlessness in
his game from midfield. He never shrunk going
forward and took the battle to his opposition and
won most of them. He created the spaces and won
vital set-pieces for Ghana.

Yahaya Mohammed – 6

It won’t be unfair to say he overworked himself
in the game. Obviously the tactical ploy failed to
work with Seidu Bancey who was playing a
supporting role from a behind-striker role.

The Asante Kotoko man had to drop to the midfield
to create space for himself which sapped his
energy. Forced out of the game with injury.

Seidu Bancey – 5.5

Not what Ghana fans expected to see from the Ghana
Premier League leading scorer. Not the most
productive of nights for the Kotoko man. Although
plenty of running into space, he often found
himself well marshalled by the Nigerian defence.

Subs: Samuel Afful – 5, Latif Mohammed – 5.5,
Sulley Mohammed – 5

Source - Ghanasoccer

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