AFCON 2015: Gyan restores Black Stars chances

Asamoah Gyan returns from sick bed to give Ghana hope.


Asamoah Gyan returned from a bout of malaria to rescue Ghana's jaundiced 2015 Nations Cup campaign with a fantastic finish in the second group game against Algeria on Friday.

The Black Stars had looked to be heading for a single point from a closely fought contest against Algeria but like he has done so often in a Ghana career that has had so many ups and downs, Gyan delivered his most significant contribution neck deep into injury time.

Ghana had lost the opening game against Senegal with the final kick of the game but with Gyan on hand the Black Stars turned the scales with a dramatic finish.

And that finish was the result of one moment of direct football that combined all the stellar qualities of Gyan in one swoop.

Substitute Mubarak Wakaso hit a long ball to Gyan. In what was almost a carbon of his goal against the USA and Germany in World Cups, Gyan took one touch of the ball, created the space and hit the ball just well enough to beat Rais Mboli.

Gyan's goal was his 7th in Nations Cup history and means he has now scored for Ghana in each of the eight major tournaments he has represented Ghana in since the 2010 World Cup.

The relief was immense from the Ghana bench with Gyan almost in tears. The Ghana contingent was ecstatic and for good reasons. At the 2010 Nations Cup Gyan’s goals took Ghana all the way to the final. He may have just kick started Ghana’s campaign in Equatorial Guinea.

The result doesn’t change the fact that Ghana has it all to do in the final game with a win the only result that will guarantee passage into the second round stage. The final group game against South Africa, a traditional grudge affair has taken on even more significant meaning.

Algeria had been hyped as the team of the tournament by virtue of their top ranked side in African football. But there were cracks in their opening game against South Africa and for all their tactical discipline; they had no shot on target.

Ghana was no better in that regard and the meeting in Mongomo flew by without much activity. The first half at some point was like watching paint dry. Both teams were too cautious, too laboured. Ghana’s passing meanwhile had not improved.

Ghana’s approach in the first half seemed to be straight forward. Play the ball out wide to Harrison Afful, hope for a good cross for him and see what he can do. Afful’s crosses were mostly awful though and when they went in, Majeed Boughera dealt with it easily.

The only activity of note in the first half was an altercation in the first half between Emmanuel Agyemang Badu and IshakBelfodi.
But in the second half Gyan connected to an Afful cross that went just wide before. Moments later the Ayew brothers combined with Dede supplying the cross. Jordan’s stylish backheel just flew over the bar.

Algeria’s best effort came on the break when danger man Brahimi released the Tottenhamn Hotspurs midfielder Bentaleb who dragged his effort wide.

Jordan Ayew then set up Gyan against but his effort was wide before Dede Ayew’s header went horribly wrong when he was teed up by Christian Atsu.

It looked to be heading for a goalless draw but Gyan had other ideas, popping up with the spectacular winner. The relief on the face of Avram Grant said it all. Gyan may just have saved not his tournament but his job too.
And not for the first time, thanks to him, Ghana lives to fight another day.


SOURCE: Allsports