@yourservice 67 Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 (edited) The first match: Ghana 2-1 Guinea Sulley Muntari's last-gasp wonder goal gave hosts Ghana a win in their opening Africa Cup of Nations game against Group A opponents Guinea, in Accra. Muntari rifled a 25-yard shot into the top corner after the Black Stars hit the post three times in the first half. Asamoah Gyan put Ghana into the lead after 54 minutes with a penalty following a foul from Oumar Kalabane. Kalabane made amends with a headed equaliser for Guinea, before Muntari saved Ghana with his late winner. The weight of delivering the hopes of a nation seemed to burden Ghana, who started the match in scrappy fashion. Asamoah Gyan had the best early chance, having been played in by Muntari on six minutes before shooting wide from 15 yards. Gyan then found himself with another opportunity within 20 seconds thanks to a poor goal-kick from Guinea goalkeeper Kemoko Camara. JOIN THE DEBATE Ghana were by far the best team and deserved it, Essien was strong as a rock, Gyan looks exciting celtic-minded The Black Stars started to settle but as the Accra crowd warmed to their sides' chances, Guinea showed they too could be dangerous with Oumar Kalabane heading over from a corner. New-boy Quincey Owusu-Abeyie was a growing threat for Ghana, providing tricks and crosses from the left wing, as the powerful Ghanaian midfield of Michael Essien and Muntari started to pull the strings. And it was from Owusu-Abeyie's cross that Junior Agogo smashed a header against the post on 20 minutes to crank up the pressure on the Sylli Nationale. Despite their lack of possession Guinea still broke with purpose to worry a pensive looking Ghana defence. But it was Essien who had the whole stadium on their feet again, when he hit the post again from a Laryea Kingston left-wing corner. As the game approached half-time the 33 degree heat, not to mention the long grass, slowed the passing. But Muntari then fired a half-volley thunderbolt against the upright, Ghana's third close miss of the half, after connecting with a cross from Kingston. French coach Claude LeRoy must have said a few choice words at half-time because his Ghana side restarted with increased purpose, throwing balls forward looking the head of Gyan. Another long-ball to the head of Gyan played in Junior Agogo who was scythed down by Kalabane as he sprinted into the box to earn the Black Stars a penalty. Udinese's Gyan shrugged off any nerves to slam the ball into the roof of the net, sending the home crowd into riotous celebration. Guinea coach Robert Nouzaret changed to a more attacking formation and his side rallied by creating a number of openings, to the worry of a Ghanaian defence led by an on-form Eric Addo. The pressure paid off when Oumar Kallabane rose above two Black Star defenders to thump home a header in off the crossbar from a Pascal Feindouno corner. The initiative was now with Guinea, as Ghana once again looked under pressure and in need of their big names players, especially Essien, to wrest back control. The Black Stars were being limited to long-range efforts before Andre 'Dede' Ayew, the son of Ghana legend Abedi 'Pele' Ayew, replaced Owusu-Abeyie. Ayew nearly scored with his first touch, crashing a point-blank shot at keeper Camara who saved well. Muntari then went close with a long-range drive - in what was becoming an open, end-to-end game. Then with the game petering out Muntari unleashed his left-foot bullet from midway in the Guinea half to resurrect the party planned by the home fans in Accra. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ghana: Kingson, Sarpei, Pantsil, Mensah, Addo, Essien, Kingston, Muntari, Gyan (Baffour 84), Agogo, Quincy (Ayew 75). Subs Not Used: Adjei, Afful, Alhassan, Annan, Asamoah, Asare, Barusso, Dauda, Draman, Kumordzi. Booked: Addo, Muntari, Kingston. Goals: Gyan 54 pen, Muntari 89. Guinea: Kemoko Camara, Bobo Balde, Alseni Camara, Kalabane, Jabi, Feindouno, Sacko, Sylla (Bah 90), Bangoura, Correa (Soumah 60), Youla (Karamoko Cisse 60). Subs Not Used: Habib Jean Balde, Ibrahima Sory Camara, Mohammed Cisse, Diallo, Diarso, Johnson, Mansare, Yattara, Zayatte. Booked: Feindouno. Goals: Kalabane 64. Att: 35,000. BBC Edited January 20, 2008 by @yourservice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetleftpeg 0 Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 It was a canny game. On a selfish level, I want Senegal and Nigeria knocked out early and Cameroon to go all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 175 Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 It was a canny game. On a selfish level, I want Senegal and Nigeria knocked out early and Cameroon to go all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 7318 Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Best game of the tournament tomorrow. Drogba Vs Martins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kelly 1280 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 It was a canny game. On a selfish level, I want Senegal and Nigeria knocked out early and Cameroon to go all the way. Hopefully Senegal will get knocked out but I'm less concerned about what happens to the rest. I just can't bare the thought of having to suffer Carr in the team for an extended period. Having Faye back would be canny too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoggeordie 0 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Howay the Nigeria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newcastlebroon 0 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Best game of the tournament tomorrow. Drogba Vs Martins Yes because those two players are comparable in terms of ability. World Class Vs Joe Average Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holden McGroin 6945 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Best game of the tournament tomorrow. Drogba Vs Martins Yes because those two players are comparable in terms of ability. World Class Vs Joe Average Drogba isnt average. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney 0 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Anyone watching Morocco -v- Namibia? Great craic! Morocco 3-1 up after 25mins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Freeview box is fucked Our aerial cant take the rain [student/] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney 0 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 You can get it.....elsewhere. Has some crazy commentary though. Possibly Martian. Or Spanish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 You can get it.....elsewhere. Has some crazy commentary though. Possibly Martian. Or Spanish. Il try a feed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney 0 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 4-1. Awesome. Morocco's right back is having a field day. There's around 49 people in the stadium. That includes both squads and managers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusoda Kid 1 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 What channel are these games on ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Anyone watching Morocco -v- Namibia? Great craic! Morocco 3-1 up after 25mins. Just turned it on nearly a ruck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 4-1. Awesome. Morocco's right back is having a field day. There's around 49 people in the stadium. That includes both squads and managers. Hahah i was just going to say Seriously theres about 150 though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 4-1. Awesome. Morocco's right back is having a field day. There's around 49 people in the stadium. That includes both squads and managers. Hahah i was just going to say Seriously theres about 150 though Nice pitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 4-1. Awesome. Morocco's right back is having a field day. There's around 49 people in the stadium. That includes both squads and managers. Hahah i was just going to say Seriously theres about 150 though Nice pitch. Many many peeeeple bring many many moneeys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusoda Kid 1 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Eurosport, cheers lads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Sorry mate just tring to fix the tv for nigeria game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Not a bad shot from Martins there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Seems to be a festival of fouling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Martins booked - for what looked like a dive.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizza 105 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Martins with a decent chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Martins with a decent chance. That was poor like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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