Black Stars draw in Algiers

Goals : Blay (25') Ghana, Sa?fi (50') l'Alg?rie.

Line Up: Sammy Adjei, George Blay, Jacob Nettey, Princeton Owusu-Ansah, John Mensah, Razak Ibrahim, Issa Mohammed, Emmanuel Kuffour, Ishmael Addo, Charles Taylor, Isaac Boakye.

The senior national team, the Black Stars, put up an impressive performance in the face of unfavourably chilly weather to hold the Desert Warriors of Algeria to a 1-1 draw in their international friendly in Algiers last Wednesday.

Playing in front of an overwhelming 60,000 capacity crowd, the Black Stars were not over-awed as they dominated the first half and could have been 3-0 up before the break.

It was a rejuvenated Ghanaian side who took the lead in the 24th minute when Standard Liege defender George Blay disappeared into the thick fog to head home from a Charles Taylor corner.

Algeria came back in the second-half better organised to equalize through Troyes striker Rafik Saifi from a close range volley.

Ghana playing with three foreign-based players completely dominated the Algerians in the first-half and could have taken a three-nil lead before the interval.

In the 27th minute, the Algerians survived another scare after Ishamel Addo hit the base of the post with his close range header.
From the rebound Mohamed Issah's shot deflected off a defender for a corner.
Earlier before the goal, Taylor's corner hit the top angle of the post after goalkeeper Mezair had stopped Addo's effort inside the box.

Although the Ghanaians ran out of steam early in the second, the Black Stars efficient ball control, short passing and dribbling meant with time the West Africans could go places.

Saifi's half volley, though, was greeted with bursting relief by the packed 60,000 crowd who bought tickets to help mourning families of 600 flood victims.
Algerian players wore black arm-bands and there was a one minute silence before kick-off.
Substitute Boukessessa nearly sent the crowd into celebration but he misguided his effort during added time.
There were other opportunities for the hosts to win by a wide margin.

In the 42nd minute, Kraouche blasted over the bar from the centre of the pitch and Djebaili's glancing header was only inches wide.
Algerian coach, Rabah Madjer brought in new recruit Nassim Akrour for his first cap, but the Istres striker saw little of the ball.
Both sides lacked the cutting edge later in the second-half as the match became scrappy.

Equipe de d?part : Meza?r - Raho, Zeghdoud, Meftah, Diss - Belbey, Mansouri, Kraouche - Tasfaout, Sa?fi, Djeba?li