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Meteors miss Olympic
train, hearts of Ghanaians broken
Accra, Nov 16, Ghanadot/GNA - The Black Meteors, Ghana's
national under 23 team, were on Friday held to a heart
breaking goalless draw game by the Flying Eagles of Nigeria,
in the Olympic Games Qualifier at the refurbished Ohene Djan
Stadium in Accra.
The Nigerians executed to perfection a well rehearsed plan
aimed at picking at least a draw, in a bid to enhance their
chances of grabbing the sole ticket in Group A.
Aided by a crafty goalkeeper, Ambrose Vanzekin, a
well-composed defensive system of the Nigerians rebuffed all
attempts by the Ghanaian side at goal whilst the midfield
remained the dominant territory of the visiting team through
out the game.
The Meteors on countless occasions created decent chances
that could have earned them the winner but a three-man
strike force of Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe and Iddrisu Nafiu
with a back up from Michael Helegbe denied the nation a
smile.
Solomon Okoronkwo and Chinedu Ogbuke earlier missed two
glorious opportunities of the Flying Eagles in the 11th and
14th minutes respectively.
Ghana could have taken the lead in the 39th minute, through
Iddrissu who after capitalising on offside trap delivered a
feeble shot, which was easily handled by Vanzekin ending the
first half on barren note.
The Nigerians on resumption of play, attempted to find the
net as Ogbuke took away the ball from complacent Isaac
Vorsah but his wide shot ensured that the game remained
barren.
A beautiful combination of efforts by Okoronkwo and Ogbuke
went wasted in the 52nd minute.
The Meteors responded positively to every challenge from the
Nigerians and created goal scoring chances, which were all
saved by the Nigerian goalie.
However Ghana's best chance of carrying the day occurred in
the second half, when Daniel Addo broke freely into the
Nigerian defence and had only the keeper to beat but could
only deliver a weak shot which was easily saved by the
goalie.
An attempt by coach Jones Attuquayefio to strengthen his
side saw the introduction of Addo, Obed Ansah and Kwadjo
Asamoah but that did not yield any dividend as they remained
blunt in front of goal.
The Meteors who needed a win to secure the sole ticket for
the Beijing Games in China, never converted the chances that
came their way.
As the game progressed it was evident that, the strategy of
the Nigerians to hold their Ghanaians counterparts to a draw
was going to yield results.
Not even five minutes of added time could turn the fortunes
of Ghana.
With a seemingly easy game against Amagluglug of South
Africa in Nigeria, only miracle could deny the Nigerians the
chance of appearing at the next Olympic Games as a win will
credit them with nine points to top Group A, next year
March.
GNA
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