The Black Stars of Ghana drew one all with the Walias of Ethiopia at the Orlando Stadium in South Africa in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this afternoon.
Andre Ayew converted a freekick on the 22nd minute in the first half to put the Stars ahead but the Ethiopians persevered to get the equaliser in the second half.
The Ethiopians stuck to their famous possessive style of play throughout the first half but this time around had a sharper attack as compared to their previous games.
Ghana goalkeeper Joseph Wollacott was forced to make four saves in the first half following a number of errors from the defense of the Stars.
Joseph Aidoo and Daniel Amartey found it difficult to deal with interceptions while Baba Idrrisu could not deal with the supplies from the midfield of the Ethiopians.
Kamaldeen Sulemana and Mohammed Kudus were brilliant with the ball but their efforts were not purposeful as the attack looked nervous anytime they were called upon.
While the Stars depended on the counter-attacking style, it was the Ethiopians who rather scored from a counter in the 72nd minute.
Captain Getaneh Kebede was at the end of an Abubeker Nassir pass to cancel out Ayew’s goal from an attack which was instigated from an error from Joseph Aidoo.
The introduction of the likes of Daniel Kofi Kyereh and Fatawu Ishahaku led to more attack opportunities for the Black Stars but the Ethiopians dealt well with the pressure and resorted to operating from the flanks till the game was over.
The results means the Black Stars will have to beat South Africa on Sunday at the Cape Coast Stadium with a huge margin to qualify to the next stage of the qualifiers if South Africa defeat Zimbabwe in their game later on Thursday.
