Algeria 3-0 Ghana: Black Stars humbled by defending champions ahead of AFCON 2021
The Ghana Black Stars were humbled as they lost miserably by 3-0 to the Desert Warriors of Algeria in a pre-AFCON friendly at the Education City Stadium in Qatar.
Adam Ounas gave the Algerians a first half lead before an own goal from Jonathan Mensah and Islam Slimani’s cool finish ensured the champions head to the AFCON full of optimism as they look to defend their title.
Ghana were poor right at the start of the game as Algeria dominated and controlled the match, and it paid off halfway through the first half when Adam Ounas roasted defender Gideon Mensah before firing at the near post with goalkeeper Manaf Nurudeen failing to grab the ball. Algeria held on till half time.
In the second half, Milovan Rajevac’s side were much improved in the second half, with Joseph Paintsil’s influence on the game growing as the match wore on.
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The Black Stars felt that they should have been awarded a penalty when Paintsil was upended in the Algerians’ box but the referee waved the pleas away.
Ghanaian youngster Abdul Fataw Issahaku forced Algeria goalie Rais M’Bolhi into making a good save, a chance which had been Ghana’s best prior to that time.
The Black Stars rose to the occasion, dominating play and keeping possession of the ball but the Algerians showed superior quality forcing US-based defender Jonathan Mensah to turn a cross into his own net with ten minutes left.
Islam Slimani, coming from the bench to replace Bounedjah rounded off a brilliant performance after tapping home his side’s third in the thrashing of the Black Stars.
It wasn’t the best preparatory match for the Black Stars ahead of their AFCON opener against Morocco on Monday but head coach Milovan Rajevac will hope that the presence Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew and Jojo Wollacott will help improve the team’s fortunes as they look to end a 40 year trophy drought.
