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Lackadaisical Black Stars stunned by Congolese counterparts
The Black Stars were not up for the game considering what was at stake. And they got punished.
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A goal from Thomas Partey lifted them up, in game and in spirit. The destination of that uplifting is not where coach Kwesi Appiah and his men would like to be.
The Ghana Football Associated never tasked Kwesi Appiah for the FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia considering the damage had already been made before his appointment.
But an ambitious coach promised. A promise that has proved to be too strong to fulfill against a Congo side the Black Stars should have blown away, on home soil.
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Uganda’s win against Egypt a day before Ghana’s game against Congo punched a small hole in the dark tunnel before the light.
However, Kwesi Appiah and his boys could not capitalize on that small hope in a bid to make it to a fourth successive FIFA World Cup tournament.
The head coach made five changes for the Congo game and his squad did not look impressive from the onset.
Black Stars set up from the onset of the game was not one of a team desperate for three points. The lack of intimidation in the early stages of the game allowed Congo to grow in confidence an believe they could get something from the game.
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And they did. In the 18th minute.
Thievy Bifouma was allowed space inside the box of his opposition and did punish them with a low finesse shot past Black Stars goalkeeper Richard Ofori.
Ghana tried to up their game after going a goal down but just couldn’t. Congo cushion of a goal meant they could relax and take in the pressure from the Black Stars.
The away side did, but not without their attack threatening the Black Stars goal occasionally.
Second half proved a bit more positive for a Ghanaian side that was eager for an equalizer and possibly a winner.
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Their lackadaisical approach to taking their chances hurt that mission and chances that could have been converted to goals were basically wasted.
Appiah’s team did, however, get something when Thomas Partey slid in a shot to revive hopes with about five minutes to go.
The crowd cheered and jeered as the hoped to see their stars deliver one more sucker punch in the dying minutes of the game. Sadly, to no avail, as Ghana and Congo shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
Mathematically, the bravest of supporters will still have some hope of Ghana qualifying for the 2018 tournament in Russia.
But the many that have watched football over the years no its all not about maths.
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At the Baba Yara Stadium on Friday afternoon, the Black Stars were beaten despite the scoreline showing a draw. Hopes trampled upon. Mission made impossible. The technical bench and players knew this and the entire story was written on their faces.
After a slightly happy moment in the Uganda vs Egypt game ahead of the Black Stars game, the final scoreline of Ghana vs Congo reads 1-1.
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