The Black Galaxies of Ghana were held to a 0-0 draw in their friendly match against 2023 CHAN host Algeria at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Saturday, ghanafa.org reports.
Coach Annor Walker’s side put up an impressive all-round performance in the match which was played ahead of the commencement of the 2022 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship.
Algeria started the game strongly forcing Ibrahim Danlad to make some early saves.
Skipper Gladson Awako was taken off due to a knock and was replaced by Sylvester Simba.
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The Black Galaxies also had their moments in the first half but the resolute Algerian defence kept Barnieh and Razak at bay.
Ghana came into the second half on a high momentum and exciting displays but still failed to find the back of the net.
Suraj and Augustine Agyapong were introduced into the game as replacements for Razak Yusif and Augustine Randolf respectively.
The home side nearly broke the deadlock on the 75th minute mark but Danlad pulled a spectacular to prevent Ghana from conceding.
The match however ended goalless at full time after a good display from the two sides.
The Black Galaxies will return to training grounds on Sunday as they focus on their next friendly game against Mozambique on Tuesday, January 10.
After Tuesday’s game, the team will leave Algiers to Constantine where they will play their group stage matches.
Recall Black Galaxies eliminated the home-based Super Eagles to qualify for their first CHAN appearance since 2014.
After both legs ended 2-2 on aggregate, the Black Galaxies went on to win via penalty shootout.
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The Black Galaxies really mean business ahead of the CHAN tournament.
Prior to dumping the scantily prepared Homebased Super Eagles out of qualification for this tournament, they were on a fine run. They have continued to play high profile friendlies on the lead up to the tournament.
Ghana, who are 2 time runners-up in this tournament (a record better than that of the Homebased Super Eagles who have 1 silver and 1 bronze to our name), will be aiming for the ultimate prize this time around.
They appear to be leaving no stone unturned to further add daylight between their record and that of bitter perennial rivals Nigeria in this competition. Recall we failed to qualify having being knocked out by, yep, Ghana which was aided and abetted by NFF disgraceful preparations of the Homebased Super Eagles.
Ghana, returning to the tournament after a 9 year hiatus, have a mountain to climb to go one better than their last appearance in 2014 (where they managed to reach the final by the skin of their teeth after a pulsating semi final victory against, yep, Nigeria).
Group foes and current double Chan champions Morocco expect to push Ghana to the brim. Hence why I suspect the Ghana FA are pulling out all the stops to play North African opponents Egypt and Algeria in tune up matches. Sudan expect to flutter like the flower on top but sting Ghana like the Serpent underneath while Madagascar would aim for Ghana’s stay in Algeria to be as brief as a package holiday.
Kudos to the Ghana FA once more for prepping the Black Galaxies for the challenge ahead.
We will be here to praise Ghana if they go far in this tournament but also mock them in equal measure with an unflattering obituary should their campaign coming to a sudden end. 🙂
For now, it’s good luck Ghana!