In a humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of defending African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Champions, Algeria, in a friendly match played at the Education City Stadium in Doha on Wednesday.
Algeria’s Adams Ounas opened the scoring chart for the Falcons in the first half before an own-goal from defender Jonathan Mensah and Islam Slimani added the team’s third.
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Goalkeeper Manaf Nurudeen was handed his first start in the team, likewise Sheriff Tiraspol’s midfielder Edmund Addo, who made his debut start for the senior national team.
The defending champions had a better start to the game, having controlled possession and being largely on the front, creating some chances.
Algeria’s winger Ounas deservedly put the Falcons ahead in the seventh minute after he outmuscled Ghanaian left-back Gideon Mensah and struck the ball past Nurudeen, who could have done better with his attempted save.
The Black Stars were largely on the back foot and struggled to string passes together and create little attacking incursions, with goalkeeper Ras M’Bolhi being untested halfway through the first half.
The Algerian side had the majority of possession and could have doubled their lead through Baghdad Bounedjah, but his header from close range went wide.
The Black Stars, despite struggling to create any good chances in the first half to pull parity, ended the first stanza with Algeria holding onto their solitary lead.
The Black Stars started the second half more purposeful and Fatawu Issahaku came close to restoring parity for the Black Stars, but Ras M’Bolhi pulled off a brilliant save.
Ghana had a strong penalty appeal waved away by the referee after Joseph Paintsil was brought down in the 18-yard box.
The Black Stars were much better in the second half and striker Benjamin Tetteh should have restored parity for the Black Stars, but once again goalkeeper Ras M’Bolhi was equal to the task.
The friendly match is to test both teams’ strength as the 2021 AFCON commences on Sunday, January 9 in Cameroon, and Ghana will play Morocco on Monday.
