Black Stars of Ghana were beaten 1-0 by Sudan on Tuesday afternoon during Day-4 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification to blow Group C wide open.
Mohammed Abdul Rahman scored in stoppage time to hand Sudan an important victory at home.
Sudan are still 3rd in the group on six points now as Ghana continue to lead to standings on 9 points with South Africa at second place also on on 9 points.
Here are the five things we noted at SPORTSWorldGhana.com
1.The Black Stars missed the leadership of Andre Ayew
The Ghana captain was missed in the game big time. Andre scored a spectacular brace against Sudan in Cape Coast as the Black Stars recorded a strong 2-0 win over their opponents but picked an injury that ruled him out of the second leg and his was conspicuously missing in the Ghana team. Andre is the player that drives the team forward. He gets his teammates playing by way of motivating them through his trademark clapping of hands.
Match-day captain Jordan Ayew could not do this, however.
2.Akonnor does not trust Christopher Nettey or Kwadwo Amoako at right back
The Ghana coach handed Kotoko right back Christopher Nettey with a start in Cape Coast against the same opponents but replaced him with Nicholas Opoku in the second period and today in Omdurman Opoku started at right back even though he is a center back.
Clearly CK Akonnor has no trust for the natural full backs that he invited.
3.Home-based players begin to start competitive games for Black Stars
Legon Cities goalkeeper Fatau Dauda was invited to join the Black Stars for the Sudan return encounter after Richard Ofori became ineligible to play due to suspension of yellow cards. The former Ghana number one played full 90 minutes for his club on opening day of the Ghana Premier League against Berekum Chelsea and against Sudan he was given the nod to start in goal. Dauda did not disappoint at all as he made come fine saves to prevent the Sudanese from breaching the Ghana goal.
Dauda thus became the second home-based player to start a game for the Black Stars after Asante Kotoko’s Christopher Nettey in this 2021 AFCON qualification.
4.Sudan were deserving winners
The home team were the better side and the result was a true reflection of the game. Ghana missed the quality and services of skipper Andre Ayew who produced a big performance in Cape Coast scoring twice to help Ghana win 2-0.
5.Sudan’s goalscorer Mohamed Adbel Rahman shines
The Al-Merreikh forward tormented the Ghanaian defence in Cape Coast and he could have probably won a penalty after overpowering the John Boye, Christopher Nettey, Djiku and co in the Ghana box.
He finally scored against the Black Stars this afternoon and judging from his celebration (taking off his jersey) , he really wanted to score against the four-times AFCON winners.
Ghana Starting line-up v Sudan
GK Fatau Dauda; Nicholas Opoku, Alexander Djiku, John Boye, Abdul Baba Rahman; Afriyie Acquah, Mubarak Wakaso, Tariqe Fosu, Jefferey Schlupp; Jordan Ayew, Caleb Ekuban.
