Ghana held Algeria to a 0-0 draw in the 2019 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations qualifying at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers Friday night.
The Black Satellites dominated the match and created the better scoring opportunities but Algeria defended resiliently in front of their home fans as neither side was able to break the stalemate in a free-flowing opening leg.
The Algerians suffered the onslaught and physical superiority of coach Jimmy Cobblah’s side in most parts of the encounter but were kept in it by great goalkeeping by Said Daas.
One of his super saves came in the 18th minute when he stretched his left leg to block a goal-bound effort by New Edubiase’s Umar Basit – the Ghanaian striker though could have converted that threaded pass from Babawo with a better composure.
Richard Danso came close to scoring in the 40th minute with a long range strike but the ball flew inches over the bar.
Algeria got better in the second half with playmaker Adem Zorgane orchestrating their moves but the Black Stars made it difficult for them to create scoring chances.
Sadiq Ibrahim was lively after coming on for Umar Basit at the start of second half and created a lot of problems for the Algerians on the right wing. One of his crosses forced the Algerians into a timely goal-line clearance after Daas failed to completely save Danso’s shot.
Saliw Babawo made way for Sulley Ibrahim in the 75th minute and the latter nearly fetch Ghana the opener with the first minute of his introduction. He snatched possession just in front of the Algerian penalty and released a shot on goal but his effort got blocked for a corner.
Ghana survived a scare deep into added time when skipper Issahaku Konda committed a foul inside the D but the resulting kick by the Algerians – the last of the game – could not find the net.
The second leg will be next week at Cape Coast Stadium.
The aggregate winner of this tie faces either Gambia or Benin in the final round of the qualifiers to Niger 2019.
Line-ups:
Algeria XI:
16-Daas – 11-Belharan, 13-Belaid, 6-Tougai (c), 3-Belarbi-2-Kadri (4-Aouacheria, 53 ‘), 10-Boudawi (5-Ouasfane, 69’), 8 -Zorgan-9-Moulay, 14-Zerrouki (15-Aouamri, 65 ‘), 17-Zerdum
Ghana XI:
Abdul Manaf Nurudeen – Maxwell Arthur, Gideon Mensah, Issahaku Konda, Abdul Fatawu Hamidu, Emmanuel Kumah, Prosper Ahiabu, Kudus Mohammed – Saliw Babawo/75′ Sulley Ibrahim, Richard Danso, Umar Basit Abdul Rahman/46′ Sadiq Ibrahim
Unused subs: Danlad Ibrahim, Daniel Adrain Adjetey, Jude Ekow Arthur, Abdul Halik Hudu, Tanko Ibrahim
