Match Report: Mali obliterate Ghana in Akonnor’s first game

The Black Stars of Ghana were humbled by the Eagles of Mali in Coach Charles Akonnor’s first game in charge of the team in an international friendly played in Antalya-Turkey

Mali opened the game with an early well worked goal in the 2nd minute after Cheick Doucouré’ through pass found Hamari Traore on the left frank, who outrun his Ghanaian marker Gideon Mensah to slot a grounder pass Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi.

Ghana came close to getting the equalizer in the 10th minute when Andre Ayew capitalized on a blunder by Malian Goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, but a connecting pass from Jordan Ayew landed in rhe waiting hands of the Goalkeeper.

The Black Stars came close again in the 25th minute when Bernard Mensah’s inswing pass found Jordan Ayew on the right, but the Crystal Palace man shot wide in the goal area.

The Black Stars made some slight changes in their system with Thomas Partey falling deep into midfield to provide some passes upfront to give Jordan opportunity at goal, but the Malians kept Amadou Haidara in the midfield to prevent the Ghanaians from making any incursions into their goal area.

Ghana Coach Akonnor effected his first substitution in the 40th minute with Eugene Ansah making way for Youngster Kamal Deen.

The Malians took control of the game again before the Half time break, having maintained their lead.

Back from the break and the Malians will continue from where they ended, a streak of passes sent a long pass down the flanks to Hamari Traore whose cross found the head of Bilal Touré straight into the net for the second goal in the 49th minute

Ghana made a second substitution with Emmanuel Lomotey coming on for Bernard Mensah to stabilize the midfield, and to make way for Thomas Partey to free himself.

Coach Akonnor made some more substitutions with Caleb Ekuban coming on for Gideon Mensah. The Changes did not affect play as the Malians kept their hold on the game having also effected some substitutions with Adama Traore making way for Kalifa Coulibaly in the 74th minute

The flamboyant Malians continued their dominance on the game with Amadou Haidara conteolling and dictating the pace in midfield.

Haidara ‘stole’ the Ghanaian defense in the 75th minute to score after his initial shot has hit the side post.

Rhe Maluans dominated the rest of play to prove too strong fie the Ghanaians to end the game on a high flying Eagle note

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