A three-star performance from the Black Stars ensured that they beat the Hawks of Togo 3 – 1 to secure their place in next year’s AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.
Goals from Abdul Majeed Waris, Mubarak Wakaso and Emmanuel Agyemang Badu were enough to see the Stars defeat their opponents and put a smile back on the faces of their fans.
In the following, Citi Sports’ Benjamin Epton Owusu gives his views on yesterday’s game.
The Stars were a delight to watch!
Unlike their last game against the cranes of Uganda – where the team lacked energy and fire – the Stars showed their fans what they were made of as they thrilled their audience with their power upfront, enterprising and short passing style of play, known locally as agro.
Knowing that a defeat would end Ghana’s dreams of participating in next year’s AFCON, Maxwell Konadu pushed the backline forward, allowing full backs, Harisson Afful and Baba Rahman to join attack and supply the forwards with more balls to bang in the goals for the Stars.
Again their attacking movement made them a delight to watch as they transitioned swiftly from defence to attack using Asante’s pace to create several chances at goal.
Tamale boys dazzle
Until yesterday’s game, many fans had expressed concerns about the performance of the Tamale boys in Black Stars. However, upon their return to home soil, these 4 players proved that indeed nothing beats home as they rose up to the occasion and put in a splendid performance to qualify the team for AFCON 2015. Indeed the highlight of everything was when two of the Tamale boys – Mubarak Wakasso and Abdul Waris scored to wrap up an amazing day at the Tamale Stadium.
Waris is Back!
Ahead of the game, the main question on the minds of many Ghanaian football fans was whether Waris was going to end his long standing goal drought, as he had scored just a single goal since December 2013.
To answer this question, the Trabzonspor leadsman proved all that he still has what it takes as he made the number 9 position his own using his frightening pace to wear down the Togolese defenders until he scored the crucial opener in the first half.
Wakasso’s amazing Golazo stuns the world!
The other outstanding performance of the match was undoubtedly Mubarak Wakaso’s 50-yard stunner which put the Stars 2 – 0 up against the Hawks.
Wakaso’s goal! Cant stop watching this amazing beauty! http://t.co/eaa1otBi1a
— Benjamin Epton (@BenEpton_) November 19, 2014
This is a goal you can watch over – and – over – again!
His ability to spot Agassi off his line, pick his spot from 50 yards and hit a bullet into the top corner to give Ghana a clear lead was a moment that left most fans drooling during today’s game.
Why is Accam still on the bench?
With his 17 goals in 25 games at club level, it is expected that Accam will be gradually warmed into the Black Stars setup to allow him build experience. However, this promising young talent has been left to the bench which prevents him from gaining the experience that could prove vital for the Stars when the likes of Asamoah Gyan and co fade out!
By: Benjamin Epton Owusu/citifmonline.com/Ghana