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Soccer News of Sunday, 9 September 2007

Source: GFA

Ghana defeat Morocco in friendly

Ghana kicked off the first of a two-game friendly series on a winning note against Morocco in the French town of Rouen on Saturday.

The Black Stars got back on the winning road with a 2-0 win over the North African side, their first since March when they easily dispatched Nigeria 4-1 in a similar exercise as part the build up towards next year’s African Cup of Nations to be hosted by Ghana.

Ghana had to wait until the second half before rounding up victory over Morocco, one of the nations to have qualified for Africa’s flagship sporting event, the CAN, after a barren fist half.

The Black Stars retuned from the half without Sulley Muntari and Nana Akwasi Asare who made the starting team for Ghana.

Black Stars coach made a host of changes and the introduction of Barusso into the game for Francis Dickoh saw captain, Michael Essien been deployed to a central defensive role with Anthony Annan moving over the left back position while the AS Roma played partnered Eric Addo, Andre Ayew and Laryea Kingston in midfield.

And it were two second half substitutes, Junior Agogo and Ahmed Barusso who did the trick for Ghana.

The Nottingham Forest striker controlled a pass from a Laryea Kingston cross at the far post and shot from the left channel to put Ghana in the lead after 47 minutes of play.

Ghana pushed the opponents and in one of such attacks, the Moroccans conceded a freekick to the Black Stars.

Kingston was on had again to float the ball into the six yard box of the Atlas Lions and Barusso managed to lose his marker and soared to nod in the second for Ghana.

Morocco attempted to pull a goal back but Richard Kingson was in fine form to block a close effort on the left with his leg.

Moses Sakyi was given run out by Claude Le Roy as the Black Stars guarded their lead over Morocco.

Ghana would continue with the busy schedule four days later on September 12 with Saudi Arabia in Riyadh.

Lineup: 1. Kingson 2. Painstill 3. Nana Asare/Junior Agogo 4. Dickoh/Barusso 5. Shilla 6. Annan 7. Laryea 8. Essien 9. Eric Addo 10. Amoah/Sakyi 11. Muntari/Andre Ayew