2022 WCQ: Ethiopia Deny Black Stars Win With Stars’ Chances Looking Shaky

The Black Stars of Ghana were hosted at the Orlando Stadium by Ethiopia in the matchday five games of the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers on Thursday afternoon.

Milovan Rajevac maintained goalkeeper Jojo Wollacot in post but made two changes in the defence.

Joseph Aidoo replaced suspended Alexander Djiku while Andy Yiadom was brought on board as Daniel Amartey switches to central defence role following Johnathan Mensah’s absence due to injury.

Also, captain Andre Ayew returned to the squad after being dropped to the substitute bench in the last game against Zimbabwe in Harare, while striker Richmond Boakye Yiadom, who surprisingly had a call up after two years away, led the attack for Ghana and was supported by Ayew. Crystal Palace forward Jordan Ayew and Kamaldeen Sulemana started on the flanks.

The team started impressively and threatened in the early minute of the game but Andre Ayew failed to keep a pass laid to him by Kudus Mohammed.

Kudus on the 4th minute controlled beautifully from the flanks but Andre Ayew’s effort was kept by the goalkeeper. Richmond Boakye-Yiadom hit again but was again kept out by the goalkeeper.

The team kept their composure and dominated the game despite the pressure from Ethiopia.

In the 20th minute, Boakye-Yiadom won a free kick for the team. Andre Ayew beautifully converted the kick to break the deadlock for the Black Stars.

Ghana came close again after Kamaldeen Sulemana dribbled his way through on the 25th minute but failed to locate the goal post.

The Ethiopians kept pressing the backline of Ghana causing them to misplace their passes.

In the 35th minute, Mohammed Kudus tried his luck from a long-range and almost found the back of the net.

Boakye-Yiadom in the 41st minute came close to double Ghana’s lead but failed to hit the target from Baba Rahman’s cross to the end the first half 1-0 in favour of Ghana.

The draw means Ghana has moved level with leaders South Africa on 10 points but the latter will play Zimbabwe tonight at 7:00 pm at the FNB Stadium before travelling to Ghana for the final round of games.

After the game, Ghanaians took to social media to react to the team’s poor outings against Ethiopia.

Let the calculations begin😂😂😂😂🇬🇭🇬🇭
W/ @NanaMadeInChina #BlackStars pic.twitter.com/hQFEc6CBMQ

— KWEKU GH (@Kwekugh_) November 11, 2021

#BlackStars whashaawasay 💔❤️‍🔥 pic.twitter.com/YknW0vew4a

— delorisfrimpongmanso (@delayghana) November 11, 2021

CK Akonnor right now#BlackStars pic.twitter.com/LDII6k23cp

— GYINA YIE 🇬🇭🇱🇷 (OFFICIAL) (@gyina_yie) November 11, 2021

How can a national team call a player with these stats ,go on and field him and expert to qualify for Worldcup .. You think Worldcup is a joke? 😏😏😏😏 2Omatches no goal . Jordan Ayew#BlackStars pic.twitter.com/yk5JIEUWOa

— Boadi Cocoa Tea🇬🇭🇯🇲🇳🇬 (@Cocoatea57) November 11, 2021

Imagine watching black stars against Hansi Flick’s Germany , or trying to defend against Mbappe, Benzema and Dembele running at Amartey and Aidoo or trying to win the ball back from Spain …tragic !!!! They should stay at home 👍🏽 #BlackStars

— . (@FCB_Tryk) November 11, 2021

Next challenge: Qualify for the world cup with Black Stars

Milo:#BlackStars pic.twitter.com/Xgz494AZN4

— Jeez.🍷 (@i_amJustice_) November 11, 2021

Ghanaians at work at the moment #BlackStars pic.twitter.com/2w3leKjyw4

— Ghana News Express (@Ghnewsexpress) November 11, 2021

Am glad #BlackStars drew. They can channel the winning bonus to fix the road to my house anaa mebodam🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/UNZrWgnnMw

— Raspo gh (@wetrendglobal) November 11, 2021