Ghana sneak past Cape Verde 1-0 in friendly

Published on: 14 November 2012

Ghana defeated Cape Verde 1-0 in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations warm-up in Portugal on Wednesday.

A second-half pile-driver by Spain-based midfielder Mubarak Wakaso separated the two sides in the hotly-contested match at the University of Lisbon Stadium in the Portuguese capital.

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah gave the chance to several players on the fringes of the squad to impress before he names his squad for next year’s tournament in South Africa.

Even though most of the Black Stars who started the game are not the recognized first team players of the side, they dominated the first-half with some quick passing which confounded the Blue Sharks on several occasions.

On the few occasions when the Blues Sharks threatened they found the Ghanaian central defensive pair of Jerry Akaminko and Lee Addy in good form while goalkeeper Fatau Dauda was practically on holiday.

The Ghanaians created many scoring chances that brought out the best in goalkeeper Josimar Evora Dias while strong captain Fernando Maria Neves proved to be a pillar in the defence.

Defender David Addy lofted in a cross from the left on 11 minutes, creating some space at the edge of the box for captain Derek Boateng whose powerful shot was held by Dias at the second attempt.

Midfielder Nana Asare failed to connect Albert Adomah’s inviting cross four minutes later before Majeed Waris set up Wakaso whose thunderbolt was gathered by Dias.

But the agile Dias could not stop Wakaso’s second low drive in the 64th after striker Richmond Boakye Yiadom back-heeled the ball onto the path of the Espanyol enforcer.

Wakaso similar attempt four minutes later missed the target narrowly while the Sharks continued with their physical play which resulted in injury of Ghana defender Lee Addy .

This is the last match for the Black Stars before coach Kwesi Appiah names his squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Ghana have been drawn in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations to face DR Congo, Mali and Niger.

Cape Verde will play hosts South Africa, Morocco and Angola in Group A of the competition.

The Blue Sharks will play the opening match of the tournament when they take on South Africa in the opening match of the competition on 19 January.

Ghana starting line-up:

Fatau Dauda, Samuel Inkoom, David Addy, Jerry Akaminko, Lee Addy, Joseph Duncan, Albert Adomah, Derek Boateng, Abdul Majeed Warris, Mubarak Wakaso, Nana Kwasi Asare Reserves: Daniel Adjei, John Paintsil, Solomon Asante, Edwin Gyimah, Anthony Annan, Afriyie Acquah, Christian Atsu, Richmond Boakye Yiadom.

Cape Verde:

Josimar Evora Dias, Admilson Dias Barros, Fernando Maria Neves, Fernando dos Santos Varela, Nivaldo Alves Freitas dos Santos, Ricardo Jorge F. Pinto da Silva, Elvis Manuel Monteiro Macedo, Antonio Santos Varela Monteiro, Marco Paulo Silva Soares, Jose Luis Mendes de Andrade, David Silva

Reserves: Fredson Jorge da Graca Tavares, Carlos Emanuel Saores Tavares, Josimar Lima, Pericles Pereira, Jorge Djanini Tavares, Walder Amado, Julio Tavares, Adilson Cabral

 

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