Ghana were unable to avenge their 2010 defeat to Uruguay, falling 2-0 to La Celeste on matchday three of the 2022 World Cup group stage in a result that saw both sides eliminated. South Korea's late win against Portugal meant that they finish above Uruguay on goals scored on a manic day of action in Qatar.
It was another penalty nightmare for the Black Stars as Andre Ayew missed the opportunity to put the Africans ahead through the spot in the early minutes of the game. The Ghana captain’s penalty was woeful and it dearly cost the team.
The only comfort the Ghanaians will take from their elimination is that they got to see Suarez and Uruguay suffer at the same time.
Here are four things we learned from the Group H fixture.
Uruguay experience trumped Ghana’s lack of belief
As good as Ghana were at times during the game, they didn’t go for the jugular at any point. It was easy to see Otto Addo’s plan, stay in the game and pounce at the right moment just as they did in their game against South Korea. They had chances of their own to have won the day or draw the game but unfortunately spurned them. They weren’t bad on the day but were too inexperienced to believe they were capable to go past Uruguay and it showed in the dying embers of the game which led to their defeat.
Diffident Partey disappoints
Thomas Partey’s talent has never been in doubt. His ability is there for all to see. The Ghanaian midfielder continues to frustrate though with brilliant displays mixed in with worrying performances. This game was the latter as the Arsenal man failed to take the chances afforded him.
Up against a hard-working Uruguayan midfield, the former Atletico Madrid man failed to find any space but perhaps more worryingly, he failed to make any impact in the area. Famed for his ability to pop-up with a crucial goal, those late runs into the penalty box which became his trademark last term have all but dried up recently, and that is a major concern for the Ghana football faithful.
If he was fit, then his performance was dismal and if played through injury, then, it raises even more questions as to why he lasted the entire duration of the game.
Sensational Kudus at it again
After a very underwhelming early start to the game, where Mohammed Kudus looked like a shadow of his artistic self, the Ajax midfielder seemed to find a new lease of life in the second half. After a brilliant performance in the defeat to Portugal and another fine performance in Ghana’s 3-2 win over South Korea where he was fortunate to score two goals of the game, Kudus was back at it again.
He was the catalyst for everything good that happened in the attacking half after the interval, running at the defenders, and was keeping the ball moving with his quick incisive passing. He was unfortunate to not have scored in the early minutes of the second half of the game. If these last three games are any indication, then we are now finally witnessing Mohammed Kudus come into his own in a Ghana shirt.
Why did Baba Rahman start?
Restored to the starting line-up by Otto Addo, Baba Rahman was expected to be a key figure in the Black Stars defence. It couldn’t have gone any worse for the Reading defender as it was clear he wasn’t fit from the outset. A mere passenger for the entirety of the game, Black Stars might as well have played with ten men.
If he was fit, then his performance was dismal and if he was injured, it raises even more questions as to why he lasted the entire duration of the game.
By: Godfred Budu
