AFCON 2023 Qualifiers : BlackStars draw Madagascar

Ghana and Madagascar drew goalless in the Africa Cup of Nations Group E penultimate round of games at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium, Madagascar.

In a highly anticipated game that the BlackStars were expected to come up tops away from home, they fell short of that expectation in Chris Haughton’s third game as coach of the former West African giants. 

Coach Hughton named notable personnel Jordan Ayew, Dede Ayew, Thomas Partey, Daniel Amartey, and Ati-Zigi in the post for the side. 

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In a game of few chances amongst the two, the away team started the game on the front foot but Jordan Ayew who was playing as the team’s arrowhead largely fed on crumbs in the game. 

The host nearly made their presence in the first quarter of the game through, Dorian Betrand but his cross into the box couldn’t find any of his players as it was calmly dealt by the Black Stars defense. 

Recently relegated Southampton player, Kamaldeen Sulemana made the most of his pace and trickery but his curler moments later edged narrowly past the post by inches.

Genk forward, Joseph Painstil had chances of his own in the fits half but, Nina Razakanirina was equal to the task on the day.  

The second half saw the host resume with a lot of intensity but their lack of experience in front of the goal saw them fluff their chances any time they hit the Black Stars on the break. 

Chris Hughton effected second-half substitutions by taking off, Sulemana for Nordsjaelland forward, Ernest Nuamah and Serbian based, Osman Bukari coming on for Joseph Painstil but that failed to positively sway the game in his side’s favor as they ended the game goalless.

The BlackStars top the group with nine points from five games followed closely by Angola with eight points