Ghana's Jose Mourinho, Â Isaac 'Opeele' Boateng makes his analysis on the reasons why the Black Stars failed to beat Sudan.
Black Stars drawn game with the Sudan has thrown the group wide open.
Both teams have four points and the Stars will have to work extra hard to get Ghana’s qualification to the tournament in 2012.
The Black Stars did play Asamoah Gyan alone up-front but later brought in Prince Tagoe to play the 4-4-2 systems.
The Sudanese did come up with the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Theirs was to frustrate the Stars and put few men forward to attack. The tactics of the Sudanese was to have about seven men behind the ball at all times.
The reason why the Sudanese placed seven men behind the ball was to avoid counter-attack or any numerical disadvantage in defence.
Additionally, they where so tall that, they thwarted the corner-kicks that Kwadwo Asamoah took.
The over-crowding of their defensive-third made it difficult for the Black Stars to have a clear shot at goal.
In 30 minutes, we had only one shot at goal. It was very frustrating and the Sudanese were able to hold on till the end of the game.
After the game, majority of fans where worried about the absence of Samuel Inkoom in the team.
The starting of Jordan Ayew also raised an eye-brow because the youngster could have paved way for Samuel Inkoom.
Jordan Ayew has the dribbling techniques but his crossings into the opponent box were bothering. Jordan is a good player but he must work on his crossings. Samuel Inkoom could have offered us the opportunity of attacking the opponent from the flanks.
We had Dede Ayew and Jordan as good dribblers in the team, but we needed the balance of the skills of dribbling and crosses at the flanks.
The Sudanese succeeded because they predicted our attack to be that of attacking through the middle. Even with a last minute in-direct free-kick they still succeeded in getting their game plan through.
The journey started nicely in Swaziland but I do not think, that this draw game must affect our psychology; with proper planning, Ghana will surely bounce back to install her might over the rest in the group.
Let us wish the Black Stars a better luck next time.
By: Isaac 'Opeele' Boateng