Soccer News of Saturday, 16 January 2010

Source: goal.com

Ivory Coast 3-1 Ghana: Player Ratings

GHANA

Kingson: 6.5 - Made two instinctive stops to deny Zokora's piledrivers in the first half. Unable to do a great deal about Tiene's fabulous free-kick which would have beaten any 'keeper.

Addo: 6 - A quiet night at the back for the experienced defender.

Inkoom: 6.5 - Whipped in some quality crosses when he got forward during the game.

Vorsah: 6 - Showed his strength to bundle Drogba off the ball in the first half when the Chelsea forward was bearing down on goal. Like many of his young team-mates he will have learnt a lot from tonight's high-tempo match.

Narry: 6 - Angled a strike by the post in the first half and showed his ability with some inventive passes which weren't appreciated by his team-mates.

Agyemang-Badu: 5.5 - Replaced Essien in midfield and the youngster struggled early on as he blasted more than one long range attempt in a tepid opening 35 minutes for the Black Stars.

Opoku-Agyemang-: 7.5 - He'll be giving Eboue nightmares tonight as he skinned him for pace before the Arsenal man saw red for a silly lunge on the 20-year-old. Chased every ball before being replaced late on.

Andre Ayew: 6.5 - Restricted in his play early on but had a greater influence on the game when Ghana got on top in the last ten minutes of the first half. Unlucky to be replaced at half-time.

Rahim Ayew: 5.5 - Not as impressive as his brother and was another Black Star player who was too keen to pull the trigger from range.

Amoah: 6.5 - Showed fabulous skill with a neat flick to set himself up for a volley which he connected with perfectly only to see his effort rebound off the post in the second half.

Kwado Asamoah: 6.5 - Forced Barry into a save in the first half with a smart turn and first time strike which he hit with venom. Needed more support.

Substitutes

Essien: 6 - Trotted on for the second half to add some experience to a youthful Ghanaian side. Still looks to be carrying a niggle and the awful pitch in Cabinda along with a meaty challenge from Chelsea team-mate Drogba won't have done him any favours.

Gyan: 6 - Replaced the more effective Andre Ayew and was anonymous until he earned and scored his side's late consolation penalty.

Afful: 6 - Not as bad as his name suggests and was given 15 minutes when he came on for the lively Opoku. Unable to make a real impression as the Black Stars had lost their shape by the time of his entrance.