An unimpressive Ghana Black Stars played to drab goalless draw against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra as both countries prepare for the next phase of 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

After the anthems the players went off in various directions to rip off their white shirts that preached the need to a peaceful election and the many fans who had come into cheer responded gracefully.

With injuries to many of Ghana’s first team players it was no surprise that Coach Milovan Rajevac started with a completely different squad with Matthew Amoah and Prince Tagoe upfront and a four man midfield supporting – debutant Samuel Kyere, Daniel Yeboah, Stephen Appiah and Andre Dede Ayew.

Surprisingly it was visitors who started well; Kingston had to come out to clear on 10 minutes and seeing Benyahia Jamel hit the post from an Ali Zituoni’s cross.

Even in the early stages it was clear that the battle for the midfield was proving to be fairly tough a key area, with both sides often having to go backwards to retain possession.

The Stars first opportunity came in the 29th minute. Prince Tagoe who got unto the end of a Stephen Appiah free kick but his header went completely off target.
A minute later, Lorient midfielder Andre Dede Ayew playing in his first senior game since the 2008 Nations Cup, run in well to set up Appiah who hit his shot wide.

Barely 5 minutes on Ghana had a goal disallowed for foul on Tunisian goalkeeper Hamdi Kasraoui. The referee had given a foul for a challenge on the goalkeeper before Tagoe’s connection to Dede Ayew’s cross.

Just a minute later Ghana had the opportunity to take the lead. Tagoe turned provider latching onto a loose ball on the right to pull out for Matthew Amoah whose connection hit the upright.

With the interval came the changes that must be. Milovan Rajevac brought on Junior Agogo and Haminu Dramani before ginving a run-out to Quincy Owusu- Abeyie, Samuel Inkoom and Sam Yeboah.

In the 55th minute, John Paintsil went a brilliant overlap but when the attack was smothered it provided the Tunisians the opening to counterattack which almost gave the visitors the lead.

The Black Stars were still not finding their feet and the frustration of the fans began to show.

Twice in succession the Tunisians failed to punish Ghana. Goalkeeper Kingston first came out for a save before a timely Painstil clearance off the line kept the Stars at par after some woeful anticipation by Eric Addo.

Ghana’s moments came in the dying minutes of the game. John Painstil’s header going in was saved by goalie Hamdi Kasraoui and Quincy Owusu Abeyie’s fiercely struck freekick missing narrowly.

Despite fans booing some poor passing and all it was not all gloom for Ghana and Milovan Rajevac will be pleased with the performance of John Paintsil and Jonathan Quartey who put in a solid performance at the back.

GHANA: Richard KINGSTON; John PAINTSIL, Hans ADU SARPEI (Samuel INKOOM), Eric ADDO, Jonathan QUARTEY; Daniel YEBOAH, Samuel KYERE (Haminu DRAMANI), Stephen APPIAH, Andre Dede AYEW (Quincy OWUSU-ABEYIE); Matthew AMOAH, Prince TAGOE (Manuel Jnr AGOGO).

Unused Subs: George OWU, Jonathan MENSAH, Emmanuel AGYEMANG-BADU, Jordan OPOKU.

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