Guinea 1-1 Ghana: Black Stars top Group E despite draw

The Syli Nationale came from behind to hold the Black Stars in a hard-fought game but the Ghanaians move to top Group E in the 2015 Afcon qualifiers

Ghana shared the spoils with Guinea in Morocco in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, but the draw sees the Black Stars at the summit of the table.

The Black Stars jumped into the lead with just three minutes to hit the half hour mark in Casablanca. However, Ghana under the guidance of care-taker coach Maxwell Konadu lost focus and allowed the hosts to steal a point with just nine minutes to end proceedings through Ibrahima Traore.

Ghana started on a perfect note and got their first real chance in the 15th minute when defender Baba Rahman had his way into the Guinea penalty area after a long run, but his final cross yielded nothing.

The Black Stars broke the game’s bareness 12 minutes later through their captain with a low drive. Lorient attacker Jordan Ayew robbed his marker of the ball and laid a through pass to the Al Ain goal machine who perfectly slotted the ball past the on rushing Guinea goalkeeper with his left foot.

Guinea took over possession but were lacking ideas upfront with Idrissa Sylla and Seydouba Soumah shooting wide. The Syli Nationale returned from the recess in full spirit and continued from where they left off as the Black Stars were still unsettled.

Soumah came close to equalise two minutes inside the second half but his strike was too high.

The Black Stars lacked the spark that characterised their forays in their win over Togo in September and Guinea took control over the game, but had to wait till in the 81st minute when an individual brilliance from Ibrahima Traore drew them on level pegging with the 2010 Nations Cup finalists.

The talented forward danced his way into the Ghana penalty area and unleashed a thunderbolt which completely beat gatekeeper Stephen Adams and struck under the cross bar for the equaliser.

A tailor-measured cross from Harrison Afful a few minutes later found substitute Majeed Warris but the Trabzonspor striker shockingly missed the glorious opportunity to restore Ghana's lead.

Ghana lead the group with five points after Uganda were stunned at home by Togo.

credit: Goal.com