Ghana’s Black Meteors were to a 1-1 stalemate against North African side Algeria in the first leg of the U23 final Afcon qualifier double header clash at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The Black Meteors had to come from behind to draw 1-1 against the Fennec Foxes of Algeria.
Coach Ibrahim Tanko paraded an attacking minded formation in his starting line up in the shape of Osman Bukari, Joseph Paintsil, Bernard Tekpetey, Yaw Yeboah and Duada Mohamed but that didn’t yield fruit in the first half as they failed to create little scoring opportunities.
The Ghanaian team started the game on fine note with some good pressing ball but unfortunately went down in the 10th minute through No. 9 shirt man Zorogane Adem.
Captain Yaw Yeboah had a chance of restoring parity for Ghana after the referee had awarded the Black Meteors a controversial penalty.
The Celta de Vigo forward elected himself to convert the penalty only to balloon the ball into the air, leaving the first stanza in favour of the Algerian side.
Back from recess, Coach Ibrahim Tanko made two quick substitution by bringing on midfielder Isaac Twum to replace striker Bernard Tekpetey in a bid to strengthen his midfield with Joseph Paintsil also being replaced by striker Joel Fameyeh.
Yaw Yeboah exhibited some scintillating performance throughout the game by always dribbling the ball past his marker despite missing a penalty in the first half.
The substitution gave Ghana some fresh energy and the equalizer finally came in the 70th minute after striker Dauda Mohammed brilliantly converted a penalty following Yaw Yeboah’s foul in the 18-yard box.
The Black Meteors after pulling parity started mounting thunderous pressure on the Algerians. Isaac Twum nearly gave Ghana a 2-1 lead but his shot was saved by the Algerians goalkeeper.
The Algerians as usual, started slowing the game by incessantly falling on the pitch with few minutes to the final whistle.
Ghana nearly conceded a second half but goalkeeper Kwame Baah’s brilliant save ensued the game remained one apiece in the 87th minute.
Osman Bukari who wasn’t at his best throughout the game had to be substituted for Hearts of Oak left-back William Dankyi in the 89th minute mark as the game ended 1-1 after regulation time.
The reverse leg is slated for 12th September, 2019 in Algeria.
Ghana starting XI against Algeria:
Kwame Baah GK, Kingsley Fobi, Gideon Mensah, Zakaria Fusieni, Nicholas Opoku Majeed Ashemeru, Osman Bukari Bernard Tekpatey, Duada Mohammed, Yaw Yeboah (C) Joseph Paintsil.
