Passing as one of the most entertaining matches so far of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana and Egypt drew 2-2 on Matchday 2 of Group B.
The result means both highly rated sides, who share 11 titles between them, are yet to win at the tournament in La Côte d’Ivoire.
The Onua Sports team rated the Black Stars players who did battle for Ghana on Thursday, January 18.
Check the ratings – out of 10 – below:
Richard Ofori – 4: The Orlando Pirates goalkeeper had a relatively quiet day and the two balls that came to him in the goal beat him, one going through his legs. He could have come out a little bit to meet Iñaki Williams’ wrongful back pass.
Denis Odoi – 6: ‘The Professor’ was not his best in the first half as the Pharaohs launch their incursions from his side of the Ghanaian defence. He, however, came back strongly in the second half, setting up Mohammed Kudus for the second goal.
Gideon Mensah – 5: The France-based defender literally took Egyptian talisman Mo Salah out of the game. He marked him until the Liverpool striker went down injured and was subbed.
Mohammed Salisu – 5: The big defender was sloppy at some point but he made up for that with his big clearances too.
Alexander Djiku – 7: Ghana’s best player in the first match against Cape Verde played up to expectation again. He threw himself at the opponent even clearing the ball, at a point, while on the ground.
Majeed Ashimeru – 6: His interceptions were good and his run in the first half brought life into Ghana’s attack. Unfortunately, injury got him subbed earlier than he would have played
Mohammed Kudus – 9: The two-goal hero made his debut in the Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday. After his off-target strike in the very early stages of the game, the West Ham man was marked out but he showed the stuff he is made up of when he scored the first goal, drilling his ball through a web of Egyptian legs. The second may have been a fluke but two goals on your debut is a feat you must be proud of.
Iñaki Williams – 4: The arrow-head from Spanish La Liga side Athletic Bilbao was quiet on the day. His runs to get the balls through him were fruitless as his teammates rather opted for alternatives. His blunder in giving a pass to Richard Ofori got the Egyptians the first equaliser. He was subbed just after Ghana led again.
Jordan Ayew – 7: The Crystal Palace man soaked pressure for the Black Stars as usual. He managed to win fouls for the team. But he could have found Williams more in attack. He got to do better for the results to come the way of his side.
Antoine Semenyo – 7: The AFC Bournemouth attacker was all over the frontline for Ghana, playing like the arrow-head instead of Iñaki Williams. He won corners for Ghana and his one-on-one situations produced results for his side. He is a player to watch in subsequent matches.
Samed Abdul Salis – 6: Also starting for the first time in his AFCON debut, Salis proved combative in midfield. He stopped the Egyptian attacks on a number of occasions, going into the referee’s books on one occasion. His searching pass found Kudus for the first goal.
SUBSTITUTES
Baba Iddrisu – 4: The Spain-based midfielder also brought some steel in midfield but as usual he was sloppy sometimes. He needs to be a little quick when with the ball.
Osman Bukari – 2: The least-performing player on Thursday, the Red Star Belgrade man was sluggish when he came on. Yes, a striker pushes the ball into his opponents’ area not his. He was overpowered by Mohammed Mostafa for the second equaliser. He was subbed after that blunder.
Elisha Owusu – 4: Owusu brought some calmness into the midfield. But when his team needed a win, he has to show some urgency. This was absent. This was his first outing and he could do better going forward.
Joseph Paintsil – 5: The Genk man started from the bench on Thursday. He was brought in by Chris Hughton in the second half. He made daring runs but all could not get the four-time champions the winner.
