Make-shift Black Stars Lose To Leone Stars

Obuasi, Aug. 17, GNA-- Ghana's Black Stars lost 0-2 to Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in their World Cup group qualifying final match played at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium yesterday. Ghana, fielding almost the entire squad of Obuasi Goldfields in the match which was of no importance to both teams since Morocco had already qualified in the group for France '98, conceded a goal in each half. With professional Mohammed Kallon spearheading their attack, the Leone Stars shot into the lead in the 13th minute through centre forward Jamiru Amidu. The Black Stars wasted a 24th-minute corner-kick butthree minutes later, Amidu called on goalkeeper Leonard Moffatt to pull off a brilliant save. The Ghanaians after wasting another corner-kick in the 36th minutes brought in Ebenezer Dadzie for Adjetey Lee in the 39th minute. They kept on attacking and their best chance to snatch the equaliser fell to inside right Joe Okyere in the 41st minute but the striker failed to score. Back from the break, the Leone Stars unsettled the homesters with a 46-minute goal which forced the handlers to rest Moffat in the 51st minute and brought on Richard Obimpeh. The Sierra Leoneans continued to dictate the pace of the game and in the 55th minute made two changes. Vannie Bockarie and Billy Harry Coker came in for midfielder John Coker and left winger Mohammed Mansary respectively. Ghana replaced centre forward Kofi Deblah with Joe Debrah but the changes in both teams did not alter the scoreline. Ghana lineup: Leonard Moffatt/Richard Obimpeh, Sammy Adjei, Yaw Owusu, Princeton Owusu-Ansah, Edward Agyemang-Duah, George Alhassan, Isaac Quainoo, Adjetey Lee/Eben Dadzie, Kofi Deblah/Joe Debrah, Joseph Okyere and Richard Ackon.