Winger Sheriffatu Sumaila was voted Player of the match against Algeria in the opening match of the Black Queens of the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations as Ghana won 1-0 but how did her teammates performed?
FootballmadeinGhana.com’s Gariba Raubil was at the Accra sports stadium on Saturday and rates the performances of Bashiru Hayford’s players.
Goalkeeper Patricia Mantey – 6
Was one of those games in which the goalkeeper was not really tested and didn’t produce many big saves against the Algerians. Mantey still managed to keep a clean sheet to help her side clinch a slim victory.
Right back Gladys Amfobea – 7
The Ghanaian full back was full of confidence today attacking and defending perfectly and scored the only goal of the game. Had Sherrifatu not won the Player of the match award, Amfobea could have easily picked the accolade for her great performances.
Center back Janet Egyir – 6
The petite center back commanded the back well making several great clearances but struggled to match the North African attack in the second period. But Egyir still played well and deserve her mark.
Centerback Faustina Ampah – 6
Ampah did a good job by keeping out the Algerians striker Ines Boutaleb of the game. She impressed as part of the back four of Ghana.
Left back Linda Eshun -6
Provided enough support for left winger Portia Boakye but was occasionally put under difficulty by the talented Algerian playmaker Myriam Yasmine Benlazar who operated on the right side of the Algerian midfield.
Central Midfielder Priscilla Okyere – 7
Okyere was at the heart of Ghana’s midfield play dictating and controlling affairs with sheer class thanks to her skill and vision. The Serbia-based midfielder was impressive and any time she had the ball her moves were always dangerous. abit
Central Midfielder Juliet Acheampong – 6
Was solid in protecting the defence and allowing the attacking players to get forward but went off color in the second period when the North Africans came into the game strongly.
Right winger : Sherrifatu Sumaila – 8
Was very animated and almost successfully completed all her take-ons and it is not surprising she won the best player of the game. She was a constant threat to the Algerian defence for the whole duration of the game and deserve her award.
Left winger : Portia Boakye – 7
Provided the assist for Gladys Amfobea’s goal and impressed on the left side. She tracked back to provide support to full back Eshun.
Attacking midfielder : Elizabeth Addo – 5
The captain failed to deliver a big performance and had to be subtituted for Grace Asantewaa as Bashiry Hayford needed to attack more.
Forward : Samira Suleman – 5
Played a bit under the radar today and failed to influence the game positively forcing Bashir Hayford to substitute her for Jane Ayiyiem. It was not a proud performance for the Black Queens attacker and will have to improve in the next game against Mali on Wednesday.
Substitutes
Grace Asantewaa – 5
Jane Ayiyiem – 5
Alice Kusi – 5
