TOPS
Boufal as a hero
The controversial absence of Hakim Ziyech induces new responsibilities for Sofiane Boufal.
And the attacking midfielder from Angers, often voluntary in the field, allowed his team to win for their entry into the running (1-0).
A goal full of opportunism on the part of the former Lille, came to crucify the Black Stars in the area (83rd), where he had so far sinned in the finish, as on this “Madjer” country (52nd).
A fair reward after a full match from the Moroccan playmaker, as valuable in construction as on set piece, and logically elected man of the match.
To discover
Africa Cup of Nations: schedule and results
Africa Cup of Nations standings
Saïss as a good captain
He only missed one goal. Constantly sought by Boufal and company on set piece, Romain Saïss gained the upper hand over his counterparts in the air. The former Angevin even came very close to doubling the end of the match (86th). If he passed a permanent danger in the Ghanaian surface, he also dismissed it in his own, parrying the most in a hurry in front of his counterpart André Ayew (56th) before giving his body against the former Marseillais while the score was still 0-0.
Paintsil, the outline of a danger
Joseph Paintsil was the main danger of a hardly inspired Ghana.
Exiled on the right, the training left winger escaped the framing work of Parisian Achraf Hakimi and was able to focus on offensive work.
Not always wisely, as on this unscrewed strike (43rd) or this wasted cons (53rd).
But the pocket winger (1.70 m) almost turned into a hero in the 72nd minute, when his shot wound from the edge of the area was admirably parried by Yacine Bounou.
The best Ghanaian on the pitch then came out before the end (85th).
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FLOPS
Partey, not up to his status
as one of the most anticipated Player of this 33rd CAN, Thomas Partey disappointed on Monday. In great form with Arsenal, the defensive midfielder of the Black Stars did not live up to his standing on the difficult lawn of Yaoundé. Yet one of the first to get into action, Partey then returned the impression of evolving in an armchair. And Moroccan pressure forced him to fault his back to the game, directing his goals. At the end of the day, 12 lost balls, one of which led to the first strike of the match (12th) and an involuntary delivery to Boufal, on the decisive goal, to top it off.
Ghostly Sulemana
Expected as a catalyst for the Ghanaian attack, Kamaldeen Sulemana went through the match like a ghost.
The new nugget of Stade Rennais (19 years old) has never weighed on his left wing and suffers from the comparison with his right-wing counterpart Paintsil.
Its number of lost balls (14 out of 30 balls played) is enough to sum up a performance well below expectations.