MATCH REPORT: GHANA VS DR CPONGO

VENUE: Free State Stadium

Kick Off: 20:30 GMT

                   

Coach Maxwell Konadu made two changes in the his squad that won 1-0 over Ethiopia. Striker Yahaya Mohammed made a comeback after suspension. Defender Abiaku Ainooson made his first appearance as he was used at the right back which was an unusual position.

It was the final quarter finals game in this years CHAN tournament after the likes of Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Libya have all booked their place in the Semis .The game started on a bright note as both sides showed good intentions at goal.

The game seems to be a midfield battle as both sides showed great zeal in the middle of the park. But it was DR Congo who showed attitude and were more purposeful upfront at the early stages of the game.

Theophilous Annoba took on 3 Congo defense but could not connect it into the net in the26th min.

Saidu Bancey should have berried the ball in the 36^th min when he controlled the ball beautifully on his chest but blew the ball but shot just wide.

In the 38^th min Congo winger Billey Maguena sent in a good cross, but goalkeper Stephen Adams was on his lines as put up a perfect touch to send the ball to corner.

It seem  Ghana’s marks man Yahaya Mohammed was always closed down by the Congo defense anytime he gets the ball as Congolese defender Kimiaka kept his eyes on the Kotoko man.

Ghana defender Kwabena Adusei could have put Ghana in front in the 42^d min when he volleyed a half clear chance over the bar.

Plenty of actions in the first half but nothing to write home about, as the match ended goalless at the end of the first half.

Congo’s first 2^nd half chance came in the 46^th min when Simbi blew his shot wide. Congo however started very well in the 2^nd half as they pushed more men forward. Congo nealy broke the dead lock in the 48^th min after left back Kasusula took a shot a cross but Simbi’s connection was well saved by the Ghana goalkeeper. Congo kept on piling on the pressure. The DR Congo seem to have brought in new energy as they made some excellent runs across the flacks.

Maxwell Konadu seeing the pressure and the threat the Congolese were coursing was forced to bring on Asiedu Attobrah for Richard Mpong who was very quiet in the game. Congo goalkeeper Kidiaba was virtually on a holiday as much pressure was not on his side. In the 59^TH min Congo striker Mundela had his soft shot saved by Stephen Adams. Yahaya Moahmmed struggled his way through the Congo defence but has his strike blocked by the Congo defence. The Ghanaian fans alongside the fuselila fans still kept the momentum going as they chants behind the stars with songs.

Congo Coach made his first substitution as he brought on Nzinga for Mubaya to thightening his midfield. Ghana seems to have found their momentum back into the game after the introduction of Annobah. But in the 66^th min Ghana was awarded a penalty after Jordan Opoku’s cross struck the hands of Congo left back Kasusula. Ghana defender Kwabena Adusei expectly slotted the ball into the net sending Congo goalkeeper Robert Kidiaba to the wrong way to put Ghana infront. It was his year old 2^nd goal of the completion. The 26 year old was immediately subtitued  for Alfred Nelson after picking a knock . Congo coach brought on striker Emomo for Ngoyi to boost his attack. In the 71^st min Striker Saidu Bancey took a 25 yards shot just for Robert Kidiaba to tip the ball to a corner kick.

In the 74^th min Saidu Bancey’s powerful header went of target after a perfect cross from Abeiku Ainooson. Congo poored more men forward in search of the equalizer but the Black Stars still kept their momentum. GFA president Kwasi Nyantekyi was however seated watch anxiously. In the 79^th min Congo winger Mulumvu Nzinga’s striker went off target. Congo still kept on the pressure as defender Kimiaki’s strike went straight into the arms of goalkeeper Stephen Adams in the 80^th min to keep Ghana in the lead. Ghana were forced to make a substitution when Owusu Jackson came on for Micheal Akuffo after the midfielder picked a knock.  Yahaya Mohammed had the best chance of the game to seal the game up for Ghana after he broke through the Congo defense, only to shot the ball straight into goalkeeper Kidiaba. Was too casual on the part of the 25 year old.

Congo still not giving up kept the pressure on Ghana but the Black Stars always kept their composure at the back. In the 89^th min Congo midfelder Mulumvu 25meters strike was tipped away by goalkeeper Stephen Adams to a corner kick. The Ghana defense were still cooking up as the Congo attack kept on the pressure

After 90 min  and 6 min of additional time Ghana goes through to the semi finals and booked a date with Nigeria. Ghana still makes Free State their home.

By Frank Darkwah