Ghana shrugged off last Friday’s defeat to Brazil to record a narrow victory over less fancied Nicaragua in a second friendly match on Tuesday evening. The Black Stars, despite a total dominance over the 139th ranked side, managed to put only one goal past them, to claim a 1-0 win at the Estadio Francisco Artés Carrasco in Lorca, Spain.
Otto Addo made a couple of changes to the team that suffered the 3-0 loss to Brazil in France last Friday, with Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu and Athletic Bilbao forward Inaki Williams getting their first starts.
Skipper Andre Ayew and his brother Jordan Ayew were made to start the game from the bench.
Richard Ofori was preferred in goal to Joseph Wollacott for the first time in a long time.
Germany-born forward Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer was brought in the second half to mark his debut after replacing the goal scorer Issahaku.
The Black Stars thoroughly dominated the entire first half of the match as the Nicaraguans failed to register an attempt on goal, which made Ofori have a free day.
Red Star Belgrade star Bukari came through with Ghana’s first attempt around the 18th minute after being put through beautifully by Gideon Mensah, but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Douglas Forvis.
Moments later, Mohammed Kudus had an opportunity to put Ghana ahead, but his effort after dribbling past about four defenders went wide.
Black Stars finally got the breakthrough in the 35th minute through youngster Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, who scored his very first senior goal. Issahaku’s powerful curled shot from inside the box took a slight deflection to beat Forvis in goal for the Central Americans.
Kudus found the back of the net nine minutes after restart, but it didn’t count as it was ruled offside.
Williams came close to getting his first goal in Ghana shirt in the 71st minute after receiving a nice cross from Mensah, which he failed to connect.
Kudus had only the goalkeeper to beat to double the advantage for the Black Stars few minutes later, but he failed to get the ball at the back of the net, as Forvis made another save.
Ghana came close again in the 89th minute with substitute Antoine Semenyo’s shot from close range, which forced another save from Forvis.
Ghana play Switzerland in their last preparatory game in November, a week before their first match at the World Cup against Portugal.
Credit: ghanasoccernet.com
