Ghana’s AFCON 2023 Campaign Stumbles with 1-2 Defeat to Cape Verde: Player Ratings
Félix Houphouët Boigny Stadium, January 14, 2024 – Ghana’s bid for a fifth continental title faced an early setback as they succumbed to a 1-2 defeat against Cape Verde in a thrilling encounter at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Onua Sports team meticulously rated the performance of the players who represented Ghana in their Group B opener against Cape Verde. Here’s a breakdown of the player ratings:
**Starting XI:**
– **Richard Ofori (Goalkeeper) – 7:** Despite conceding two goals, Ofori showcased exceptional goalkeeping skills, making crucial saves that kept Ghana in the game. However, his first-half parry led to Cape Verde’s opening goal.
– **Denis Odoi (Defender) – 5:** Displayed an average performance in lateral defense, occasionally being beaten in 1-on-1 situations. Contributed positively to the team’s defense but had room for improvement.
– **Gideon Mensah (Defender) – 3:** Showed inconsistency in lateral defense, with moments of slowness. Tackled aggressively but struggled to provide consistent crosses.
– **Mohammed Salisu (Defender) – 4:** Despite winning aerial challenges, Salisu faced lapses in concentration, notably contributing to the match-winning goal for Cape Verde.
– **Alexander Djiku (Defender) – 8 (Man of the Match):** Fought valiantly in defense and demonstrated resilience, notably scoring the equalizer. Djiku’s performance stood out, earning him the Man of the Match accolade.
– **Iddrisu Baba (Midfielder) – 2:** A sloppy performance with inaccurate passes, resulting in a Yellow Card. Baba’s struggles added pressure to the team during critical moments.
– **Majeed Ashimeru (Midfielder) – 6:** Made an average debut in AFCON, taking chances and displaying determination. However, his disallowed effort may have affected his overall performance.
– **Ransford-Yeboah Konigsdorffer (Midfielder) – 1:** Failed the team with positioning, contributing to a disallowed goal. The German-based midfielder showcased inexperience in continental competitions.
– **Antoine Semenyo (Forward) – 6:** A debutant in the Cup of Nations, Semenyo displayed above-average performance, taking chances and contributing to offensive plays.
– **Joseph Paintsil (Forward) – 6:** Pushed hard but lacked the finishing touch in some incursions. Showed promise for his first Cup of Nations appearance.
– **Jordan Ayew (Forward) – 5:** The experienced player in the Starting XI, Ayew struggled to release effective passes. Won free kicks but couldn’t convert them into significant opportunities.
**Substitutes:**
– **Iñaki Williams – 3**
– **Andre Dede Ayew – 3**
– **Osman Bukari – 3**
– **Ernest Nuamah – 4**
– **Salis Samed – 3**
The substitutes had varying impacts, with limited playing time affecting their overall contributions. The team will look to regroup and address the challenges in the next game, aiming to revive their AFCON 2023 campaign.
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