Black Stars Draw 3-3 With Africa XI

June 12, 1999

ACCRA, Ghana (PANA) - Ghanaian-born Marcel Desailly led a star studded Africa XI to draw 3-3 with a locally-dominated Black Stars team in a special soccer match dubbed "Marcel Desailly France 1998 World Cup Winning Celebration In Ghana" at the Accra Sports Stadium Friday night.

The match, organised by the Paris-based Sports and Cultural Association, and telecast live to more than 30 countries, is the player's way of saying "Thank You" to Ghanaians for the moral support given to him and the French national team as a whole in winning the '98 world cup.

Proceeds of the match will be donated to the Heart Foundation of the Korle-bu Teaching hospital in Accra.

Former Cameroonian international Roger Milla set the stadium ablaze with an immaculate bicycle kick to register the first goal for the Africa XI.

It was a 10th minute strike after the 1995 world best player, George Oppon Weah, lobbed into the penalty area.

Barely four minutes after that spectacular goal, Black Stars striker Felix Aboagye levelled up for his side with a rather ordinary goal.

Midfielder Godwin Ablordey gave a through ball to Aboagye who sneaked through the well-organised defence of the Africa XI. But when goalkeeper Antoine Bell slipped on the rain-soaked pitch in an attempt to save the situation, Aboagye tapped the ball into the yawning net.

After that equaliser the Africa stars mesmerised the Black Stars with individual skills to the amusement of the over 40,000 supporters at the stadium.

As a result, ex-Blacks Stars skipper Abedi Pele and Weah became targets of rough play from the displeased homeboys.

Back from recess, Africa XI scored two quick goals in the 68th and 73rd minutes.

Liberian international Joe Nagbe finished off a free-kick by substitute Kofi Abbrey and Ivorian international Ibrahim Bakayoko nodded home the third goal for his side from a corner kick taken by Abbrey.

Abbrey, the ex-Black Stars left winger who came on for Milla, combined beautifully with Weah at the left flank and could have increased the tally but over-elaboration robbed them a goal.

The Black Stars put up a last minute fight to cancel the two-goal deficit, which they did in the 76th minute with a terrific shot from Sam Johnson and a 90th minute penalty converted by Ablordey, to beat substitute goalkeeper Constant Mantey.

Line up (Stars): Richard Kingston/James Nanor, Sam Johnson, Eben Dogbartey, Mohammed Gargo, Foster Bastios/Alex Djame, Jacob Nettey/Felix Yeboah, Justice Ampah/Yaw Serbeh, Charles Sampson/Eugene Addo, Godwin Ablordey, Osei Kwame, Felix Aboagye.

Africa XI: Antoine Bell/Constant Mantey, Heresson Bernad, Frank Atsou, Marcel Desailly/Tenasi Frank, Joe Nagbe, Mahouve Marcel, Abedi Pele/Prince Daye, George Oppon Weah, Roger Milla/Kofi Abbrey, Ibrahim Bakayoko, Miage Willie.