Own goal causes Stars' downfall
Nigeria have defeated Ghana 1-0 in Accra on Sunday for the first time in 27 years. A 12th minute own goal by Daniel Yeboah, at the Accra Stadium yesterday, was the vital cutting edge needed by the Super Eagles of Nigeria to clinch a 1-0 victory over Ghana’s Black Stars in their international friendly. The victory also helped the Nigerians to sustain dominance over the Black Stars in recent international outings. But rather that being upset by that early setback, the Stars recovered swiftly and dominated play but had themselves to blame for ending the game the vanquished side. In the second half, for instance, the entirely home-based dominated Stars squad were in complete control but lacked the final touch needed to make the difference. The most unpardonable of the Stars’ numerous misses came 12 minutes from the end when one of the two foreign-based players who featured for the Ghanaian side, Prince Amoako, shot straight into the hands of Eagles goal tender, Sunday Rotini, from the spot to the disappointment of the local fans. This time, local referee Joseph Wellington who had denied the Hamza Mohammed-led Stars two penalty appeals in the first half did not hesitate to point to the spot after menacing John Painstil was brought down by an opponent in the Eagles’ vital area. Ever-improving Paintsil who was given an attacking role this time by coach E.K. Afranie was the brightest spot in the Stars set-up, and no wonder he was a victim of rough play by the Nigerian defenders. The absence of Hearts duo of Charles Taylor and Bernard Dong-Bortey who are reported to have travelled oustside the country for trials compelled coach Afranie to feature such unsung players like Eric Ackon, Angelo Dedon, Emmanuel Pappoe, Michael Asante, Yeboah and goalkeeper Abukari Kankani. This obviously affected the Stars’ cohesion, which department the Eagles were ahead.Enjoying the support of the few drumming and chanting fans at the May 9 Stand, the all-local Eagles squad was much at home and held on to their lead in the first half in spite of the incessant raids by Painstil, Aziz Ansah, Isaac Boakye and foreign-based Razak Pimpong who sustained an injury after 33 minutes and was replaced by Dedon. Paintsil came close to equalising in the 38th and 45th minute but was denied by tall and agile goalkeeper Rotini. While Eagles Coach, Christian Chukwu, was a happy man after the game, his Ghanaian counterpart, Afranie was not too disappointed though he had anticipated victory and assured to make amends in the return leg in Nigeria in January. Ghana's West African arch-rivals are preparing for the 2004 Nations Cup and for Christian Chukwu, playing with an entirely home-based side is part of a courageous programme. The Super Eagles of Nigeria last won in a friendly in Accra by the same scoreline in August 1975. Nigeria last defeated Ghana at the Nations Cup quarter-finals in Mali this year. But it was during a World Cup qualifier in 2001 that the Super Eagles were able to end a 17-year unbeaten run to qualify for the 2002 World Cup. Line up: Abubakari Kantani, Aziz Ansah, Emmanuel Pappoe, Daniel Yeboah, Joe Hendricks, Hamza Mohammed, John Pentsil, Michael Asante, Razak Pimpong/Angelo Dedon, Isaac Boakye, Prince Amoako.