How the Black Stars performed against Egypt

Allsports rates the players on show as Ghana beats Egypt 6-1 in the first leg of the World Cup playoff at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.


Fatau Dauda -8  His selection was a big vote pf confidence to a player who has looked bereft of it in his past performances and he duly repaid Kwesi Appiah with a competent display.His reading was timely and he came off his line when the need arose.The next battle is to get a regular playing spot at Orlando Pirates before the World Cup.

Daniel Opare- 8 Playing at left back the Standard Liege right back excelled against the danger of Mohammed Salah and also offered an excellent counter attacking outlet.His best performance in a Black Stars shirt in a while.

Jerry Akaminko -7 His return to the Black Stars was borne out of injury to regular starting pair Boye and Vorsah and he will be satisfied with his day’s work.Solid in the tackle and brave when the need arose ,Akaminko will hope he has made enough of an impression to gain a recall.

Rashid Sumaila-7  The Sundowns hard man was at fault for Aboutreika’s penalty after an unnecessary shove  on Mohammed Salah.He regained his composure after and complemented Akaminko well.

Samuel Inkoom-7  Out of Dnipro for over a month,the former Kotoko man played like a player possesed although his match rust showed time and again.His flank was a source of joy for the Egyptians at a time when they raised the tempo of the game.One turn to leave a chasing Ahmed Fathy underlined his confidence.

Kwadwo Asamoah- 8 The Juventus man started on the left and was at his best.A class act all game,his passing and ability to turn pace was a constant source of worry for Egyupt who failed to track his drifts into the middle.An understated personality does not hide what is Ghana’s best football brain at the moment.

Sulley Muntari- 8 Started after serving punishment for showing disrespect towards coach Kwesi Appiah,Muntari was the calming influence at the heart of the Black Stars midfield.He showed the full repertoire of his passing range with long,diagonal balls that caught the aging Egyptian backline time and time again.

Micheal Essien-8 His experience and calmness served as the platform upon which the Black Stars built thier rapid counter attacks.Efyupt had no answers to his ynuque combination of brute strenght and elegant passing.Mrached through the Egyptian defence to force a second goal.

Andre Ayew- 7 Spent a lot of time traipsing through the middle and on the right side of midfield to good effect.Pulled players out of place to create space and was economical in possesion.Not his most flamboyant performance but operated at a high level with his tracking back to support Inkoom .

Abdul Majeed Warris- 9 The Spartak Moscow man can do no wrong at the moment.He set up two,scored one  and was fouled for a penalty.His movement and link up coupled with his raw pace made him a nightmare for Mohammed Naguib and Wael Gomaa.A budding partnership with Asamoah Gyan hold immense promise for Ghana.

Asamoah Gyan- 8 The king of the away goals found his magic touch infront of his home crowd with two well taken goals.His hold up play and willingness to drop back created spaces for Warris and Essien anytime they moved forward.A true captain’s performance from the Baby Jet.

Substitutes

Mubarak Wakaso -5 Did not make much of an impact offensively but helped shore up the team defensively with his tenacity.Did not get an opportunity to unleash his lethal left foot.

Christian Atsu-6 Scored a stunning belter minutes afterr making an appearnce.He will be satisfied with his performance after being relegated to an impact substitute.

Agyeman Badu-5 The Udinese midfielder was a bundle of energy and strenght but did not make too much of an impact with the game decided before his entry.

Godfred Akoto Boafo/Allsportsgh