Ghana suffered a solitary defeat to Ivory Coast in the last Group B game of the U20 WAFU Championship currently ongoing in Benin following a splendid free kick by Kouadio N’gessan at the Charle de Guelle Sports Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The results of the game was inconsequential to the progress of the Black Satellites to the semi-finals of the competition as Ghana had already booked a place in the semis even ahead of the clash with Ivory Coast following their win over Nigeria in the group opener.
Ghana coach Karim Zito made 5 changes to the side that won 1-0 over Nigeria on Wednesday to give room to some other players to test their feet in the tournament.
Zito’s counterpart Soualiho Haidara had everything to play for, throwing on all his arsenals in a game the Satellites had only pride to play for.
The shape of the Ivory Coast side from their static formation was clearly a warning sign to the Black Satellites considering how important the game was to them.
Ivory Coast static formation (4-3-3, 4-5-1)
The Ivorians started the game with a 4-3-3 static formation but always coiled to a 4-5-1 system when defending. Goalkeeper Souleymane Dao was provided a shield by skipper Fabrice N’guessan who started from the right back position, Bi Vroh Djeh Evra playing on the left while Kouadio Ahousou and Geulanni Abraham played at the heart of defense. They had a triangular midfield of Oumar Bamba, Kouadio N’guessan with Ibrahima Bamba at the tip of the triangle. Issoufou Dosso and Fofana Datro partnered Mohammed Bamba in attack.
Ghana static formation (4-2-1-3, 4-4-2)
Ghana started the game with the same static formation used against Nigeria but this time with an alteration in personnel. Five players were handed starting roles as Ghana rested some key personnel for the semi-final clash. Ivan Anokye started in the position of Kobina Amoah, Uzair Alhassan came on for Philimon Baffour who sustained an injury against Nigeria, Huda Issah took the position of Eugene Frimpong, Agyemang Duah started in place of Sulemana Mohammed while Sumaila Abanga replaced Percious Boah who was red-carded in the game against Nigeria.
With Danlad in post, Ghana coach Karim Zito had a back-4 of Uzair Alhassan on the right, Aloma Benjamin on the left, Ivan Anokye and Nathaniel Adjei at the heart of defense. Huda Issah and Emmanuel Essiam played in central midfield while Agyemang Duah and Mathew Cudjoe played on the right and left sides of midfield. Sumaila Abanga led the attack with Daniel Afriyie supporting him in a 1-1 system.
Game Plans
The game plan of the Ivorians was clearly seen in their static formation. They needed to avoid a goal from Ghana and make sure they get a point to qualify even if they are not winning the game. Having N’guessan Kouadio in the holding midfield role with Oumar Bamba was just to give them a defensive solidity despite having a 4-man defense. Issoufo Dosso and Fofana Datro always dropped deep into the midfield to increase their numbers there, making it difficult for the wingers of the Black Satellites to have a free day. Ivory Coats always defended with 5 in the middle and 4 at the back; thus always had 9 men behind the ball.
Ghana had a similar game plan but unfortunately, the two wingers; Agyemang Duah and Mathew Cudjoe were much more offensive with little or no defensive qualities. This put much pressure on Aloma Benjamin and Uzair Alhassan, forcing the latter to be substituted from the game after picking an injury. The midfield was a shared battle with Ghana’s Huda and Essiam being typical ball playing midfielders against Oumar Bamba and Kouadio N’guessan who are much more physical. Ghana had fluidity in midfield with poor defensive qualities but the Ivorian relied heavily on their physicality to bully the Ghanaians on a day officiating was a bit questionable.
The chemistry between Nathaniel and Ivan was solid, making it extremely difficult for the Ivorians to penetrate despite having Fofana and Bamba leading their attack.
The Ivorian coach, Soualiho Haidara, after realising his charges were finding it difficult to break through the Ghana back-4 and the superb saves engineered on the day by Danlad Ibrahim, resorted to attracting set pieces in front of the Ghana goal area. One of such free kicks got them the only goal of the game, catapulting them to the top of the group.
In attack for Ghana, much was not seen from skipper Daniel Afriyie and his striking partner Sumaila Abanga giving Kouadio Ahousou and Abraham a bit of a holiday on the field.
Ghana will now play Niger on Tuesday in the first semi-final game at the Charles de Guelle Sports Stadium in Porto Novo while Ivory Coast take on the Young Stallions of Burkina Faso.
