Nigeria 1-1 Ghana: How the Black Stars players rated in victory over Super Eagles in Abuja – Wollacott, Partey score high marks

Goalkeeper Joseph Wollacott put up a brave performance for the Black Stars in Abuja as the Swindon Town goalkeeper made a number of impressive saves to ensure Ghana secure a ticket to the Mundial in Qatar.

Arsenal star Partey displayed one of his top performances for the gold-gilded stars at the fully-packed Moshood Abiola Sports Stadium as over 60,000 Super Eagles fans were left disappointed.

Head coach Otto Addo rang changes in the early moments of the second half as he withdrew Crystal Palace star Jordan Ayew, Real Mallorca midfielder Mohammed Baba Iddrisu and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.

VIDEO: Watch below the top 10 most handsome African football players

Ghana Sports Online editor AKYEREKO runs the rule over the performance of the Black Stars in Abuja.

• Joseph Wollacott – 8/10

Top class performance from the Swindon Town goalkeeper. He put on his A-game and made a number of impressive top-level saves to ensure the Super Eagles fail to score from open play. Even when his stopper and sweeper were beaten he still did a great job in between the sticks.

• Denis Odoi – 6.5/10

Despite committing the penalty that led to the equalising goal in the first half, the ex-Fulham man was calm and managed to hold down the defensive lines with an eagle eye. At 33, he has still got the legs to run and the energy to battle it out.

• Gideon Mensah – 6/10

Didn’t contribute much to the team’s offensive play, but he was defensively solid and played well to keep the defensive shape of the team. Awesome night for the Bordeaux man.

• Daniel Amartey – 6.5/10

The Leicester City defender had to work extra in his central defensive role as Napoli’s Victor Osimhen fed on long balls and relied on his pace to outwit the Ghanaian central defence. The few occasions that the workaholic forward managed to beat him, Amartey’s big IQ worked for a tactical foul to avert any danger.

• Alexander Djiku – 7.5/10

What a great composure from the 27-year-old. Now, if any serious scouts watched his performance on the night, Strasbourg will have a difficult job keeping him next summer. He matched the Nigerian defence fairly and squarely.

• Thomas Partey – 8.5/10

He simply came to the party. Forget about the few errors he committed in the middle. That blistering 10th-minute strike won the ticket for Ghana. He played in both deep and advanced roles as he calmed and templated the areas, determining the tempo of the game for Ghana.

• Baba Iddrisu Mohammed – 5.5/10

It wasn’t a game for the Real Mallorca man as he was substituted before the start of the second half. Though he was replaced by Andy Yiadom, it was KAA Gent midfielder Elisha Owusu who slotted into his role to provide more shield for the team in the second half.

• Kudus Mohammed – 5/10

A bad day in the office for the Ajax Amsterdam man. He hanged on to the ball for too long and was mostly gagged by the Nigerian defence and his influence in the game totally diminished as early as the 30th minute. Couldn’t create any dangerous moment for the Nigerians. He lasted 73 minutes as Osman Bukari took his place.

• Abdul Fatawu Issahaku – 5.5/10

After showing signs of brilliance in the opening moments of the game, the Sporting CP man had little to offer in terms of the team’s attacking play. And, rightfully so, head coach Otto Addo withdrew him just before the commencement of the second half to offer more defensive variation to the team.

• Jordan Ayew – 6/10

One of the players who lost their berths after the break as his place was taken by Elisha Owusu but not his position. He set up Thomas Partey for Ghana’s goal with a good block and impressive play. Though he wasn’t superb in the game, he worked well in the 45 minutes he lasted on the field.

• Felix Afena-Gyan – 5.5/10

The 19-year-old playing as one top barely threatened the Nigerian central defence pairing of William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun. But, he still showed his quality in terms of blocking, running, team play and intelligence. He did good work in the first half. He was replaced at the 90th-minute mark by Okyere Kwasi Wriedt.

SUBSTITUTES

• Elisha Owusu – 5.5/10
• Daniel-Kofi Kyereh – 5.5/10
• Andy Yiadom – 5.5/10
• Osman Bukari – 5.5/10
• Okyere Kwasi Wriedt – 5/10

The post Nigeria 1-1 Ghana: How the Black Stars players rated in victory over Super Eagles in Abuja – Wollacott, Partey score high marks appeared first on Ghana Sports Online.

Source: Sports