Stars fall to the Elephants

Cabinda, Angola, Jan 16, GNA - The Black Stars of Ghana fell to the might of the Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire in the opening match of Group B of the Angola 2010 Africa Cup of Nations at the Cabinda stadium on Thursday evening.

It was a humiliating defeat for the Stars, whose result has thus made their chances of progressing into the next stage a herculean one after a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the star-studded Ivorian side. With high hopes of stunning the Ivorians in the much awaited game despite the absence of some key players of the Stars, the relatively new Ghanaian side exhibited signs of nervousness and cautiousness in the initial stages probably due to respect for the stardom with the galaxy of Stars

in the Ivorian team, and this remained in the early parts of game. It was a total control of the midfield by the Ivorians with Yaya Toure, Didier Zokora and Tiene Siaka dictating the pace, as the Ghanaians failed to find any antidote to their raids.

The Stars hardly initiated any successful attack, and it was the Ivorians who nearly broke the deadlock in the 16th minute through an intelligent volley from Zokora but which was well dealt with by keeper Kingson. With a high level of aggression and dominance in midfield, the Ivorians capitalized on the nervousness of the Stars and succeeded to get the opener in the 22nd minute through a perfect attack.

A midfield move initiated by Yaya located Salomon Kalou on the right side of the Ghanaian defence and with a swift cross Yao Kousi Gervinho was on hand to do the connection as he shrugged off a late challenge from Isaac Vorsah.

Even though the Stars were challenged to redeem their image, they were just not up to the task to break the Ivorians as all their efforts were thwarted but a 38th minute intelligent shot from Kwadwo Asamoah was well dealt with by keeper Barry Boubacary.

It marked the return of Ghana in the game, as the Stars begun to settle and find their rhythm but it was too late in the half for them to cancel the lead as the first half ended in favour of Cote d'Ivoire.

A more impressive performance from Ghana in the second half, nearly gave the Stars an equalizer as they begun stringing their passes together and created some scoring chances.

This was made possible with the introduction of Micheal Essien for Mousa Narry and Asamoah Gyan for Ayew as the half fit Essien ensured that he put the breaks on the Ivorian attack, whilst he made consistent supply to the attack.

As Ghana mounted pressure on the Ivorians coupled with the exit of Emmanuel Eboue who was red carded for a violent play on Opoku Agyeman in the 54th minute, it was evident that the equalizer was coming but it never materialized.

The Stars did not give up as they searched desperately to come level, which nearly came in the 56th minute, but the goal posts denied Mathew Amoah the much sought goal.

Another perfect free kick taken by Asamoah in the 62nd minute was tapped to corner, which was subsequently wasted.

Ghana's hopes of cancelling the lead was dashed in the 66th minute when Tiene Saka's free kick zoomed straight into the net as it caught keeper Kingson off his foot.

With the game gradually crawling to an end, the Ivorian shattered the dreams of the Stars with the third goal which was beautifully executed by substitute Kader Keita when he mesmerized Inkoom before delivering a perfect cross for Drogba top soar high in the air to head home the third goal to the dismay of the Ghanaians.

Ghana however got a consolation goal during injury time through a penalty which was converted by Asamoha Gyan, but it was too late to push them back into contention as the South Africa referee Jerome Damon brought proceedings to an interesting end.

LINE UP:

Ghana: Richard Kingson, Samuel Inkoom, Rahim Ayew, Isaac Vorsah, Eric Addo, Agyeman Badu, Opoku Agyeman/Harrison Afful , Moussa Narry/Michael Essien, Kwadwo Asamoah, Mathew Amoah, Dede Ayew/Asamoah Gyan

Cote D'Ivoire: Barry Boubacary, Kolo Toure, Didier Zokora, Yaya Toure/Fae Emerse, Salomon Kalou/Kader keita, Tiote Ismael, Yao Gervinho/Roland Guy Demel, Didier Drogba, Tiene Siaka, Emmanuel Eboue, Bamba Souleman.