By: Sheikh Tophic Sienu @desheikh1 on twitter
The Black Stars of Ghana produced a splendid performance in the 2017 AFCON qualifier against the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium. A lot of positives from the game but GHANAsoccernet’s Sheikh Tophic Sienu takes a look at the major talking points of the game
1. The field took away the beauty of the game
The beauty of the game was swallowed by the bad nature of the field at the Amahoro Stadium. The Black Stars of Ghana commenced the game without substantive captain Asamoah Gyan due to injury but the team led by deputy captain Andre Dede Ayew lived up to the task by taking on the home side right from the blast of the whistle. Fans who watched the game all over the world were denied the beauty of the game as players of both teams struggled to trap balls to exhibit beautiful play. Swansea City star Andre Ayew who pulled hundreds of fans from neighbouring Uganda was denied the right platform to thrill his fans and so was Yannick Mukunzi and Haruna Niyonzima of Rwanda. Christian Atsu was also denied access to exhibit his swift wing contribution and skilful display due to the nature of the field. The two teams were then left with no option than to manage their performances on the field as the wing backs of the Black Stars could hardly run with the ball while the midfield trio of Atsu, Wakaso and Afriyie Acquah could hardly string passes together.
2. Asamoah Gyan's absence was felt
The absence of the captain of the side was obviously a blow to the Black Stars and was felt in the game. Asamoah Gyan has been an influential player to the Black Stars set up and his absence was obvious in the game as the defense of Rwanda enjoyed no threat from the attacking pair of Jordan Ayew and Boakye-Yiadom. Jordan Ayew and Boakye-Yiadom were clearly absent in the game in the first half compelling coach Avram Grant to bring on Solomon Asante for Boakye-Yiadom a few minutes into the second half. The absence of the Ghana captain was felt as he is the main marksman for the team with a record of forty eight goals in ninety appearances for the national team.
3. Andrew Ayew stole the show
The Swansea City star livened the stadium with stylish displays and beautiful touches to the delight of the fans at the stadium. Even though the Ghana deputy captain could hardly live up to his full potential due to the poor nature of the field, he was able to demonstrate good leadership qualities by leading the team to pick the three maximum points at the Amahoro Stadium. Rwanda had been invincible at the Amahoro Stadium since August 2013 but Andre Ayew gallantly led the Black Stars to break the home invincibility.
4. Razak Braimah was on holiday
The Ghana goalkeeper enjoyed a complate holiday in the game as the attacking trio of Tiyusenge Jacques, Quentin Rushenguziminega and Jean-Claude Iranzi were out muscled and out smarted by the defense of the Black Stars with John Boye and Daniel Amartey building a defensive wall in front of Razak Braimah. The Ghana goalie was not called on any serious occasion to duty as the Rwandans did not posses the quality of defeating the Black Stars.
5. Avram Grant's Blue Lacoste was spotted
The Ghana coach put on his lucky blue lacoste with white strips used during the 2015 Acon in Equitorial Guinea. The coach who is noted for that blue lacoste started wearing the blue lacoste during Ghana's 1-0 win over Algeria during the 2015 Afcon tournament after the team had earlier lost the opening group game to Senegal by a lone goal. It as since been described by many Ghanaian as the lucky shirt of the coach and has luckily won the game again wearing the blue lacoste.