Good evening and welcome to the live text commentary of the coverage of the friendly match between Ghana and Nicaragua.
The Black Stars return to action today after suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Brazil last Friday.
That game played in Le Havre, France, saw the North American side dominating Ghana throughout the 90 minutes.
After days of training to prepare for today’s contest against Nicaragua, Ghana coach Otto Addo and his technical team are hoping to see an improved competitive performance from the Black Stars.
Today’s pre-world cup friendly match for Ghana is being played in Lorca, Spain. Kick-off is at 18:00gmt.
While we build up to the encounter, Ghana head coach Otto Addo has named his starting eleven to play against the opponent.
The team is made up of a lot of changes from the first eleven that started the Brazil game last Friday.
Goalkeeper Richard Ofori is preferred in post this evening to England-based shot-stopper Joseph Wollacott.
While Daniel Amartey keeps his place in the team, he will be partnered by Mohammed Salisu following the injury to his regular partner Alexander Djiku.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Kudus keeps his place in the team and will be linking up play with Osman Bukari, Inaki Williams, and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.
Below is the Ghana starting eleven:
Richard Ofori (G)- Alidu Seidu, Daniel Amartey, Mohammed Salisu, Gideon Mensah - Baba Iddrisu, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh - Mohammed Kudus, Fatawu Issahaku, Osman Bukari - Iñaki Williams
👕 | 𝘿𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙍𝙊𝙊𝙈 😉
🇳🇮 𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗨𝗔 🆚 𝗚𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗔 🇬🇭#Blackstars | #NICGHA pic.twitter.com/uYS8QcBIbT
— Black Stars 🇬🇭 (@GhanaBlackstars) September 27, 2022
We are just 30 minutes away from kick-off at the Estadio Francisco Artes Carrasco.
🇬🇭 Ghana Fully Represented at the Artes Carraso De Lorca, Spain 🏟️
🇳🇮 v 🇬🇭 #BlackStars pic.twitter.com/zFmqhMyzCJ
— Black Stars 🇬🇭 (@GhanaBlackstars) September 27, 2022
The two teams are out on the pitch for the start of this evening's match between Ghana and Nicaragua.
First Half:
1’ Game has started at the Estadio Francisco Artes Carrasco. Who will get the first goal.
5’ The Black Stars of Ghana have dominated the game so far but yet to hurt the opponent.
10’ Good attacking play from Mohammed Kudus but his final pass is too heavy.
13’ Gideon Mensah is put through on goal. He tries to dink one over the goalkeeper but his effort is saved.
18’ Great play from Mohammed Kudus again. He goes past several defenders of Nicaragua and sets up Abdul Fatawu Issahaku. Is shot across is unfortunately wasted.
20’ The first 20 minutes of the contest has been dominated by Ghana. The scoreline remains barren.
22’ Nicaragua attack with purpose but the defense of Ghana stands strong to avert the danger.
23’ Chance for Ghana. Inaki Williams gets into a good position and dummies a defender. He attempts to find Issahaku who wastes the chance.
25’ Nicaragua will come forward again. Threatens the Ghana defense but Kofi Kyereh picks up the pirates to win possession for Ghana.
29' Several hard tackles by Nicaraguan players slowing down the pace of the game. It has been one foul after the other in the last five minutes.
31' Ghana attacks again and this time wins a corner kick. Issahaku takes sends in a dangerous ball but it is well-dealt with.
34' Goal!!!! Abdul Fatawu Issahaku scored with a curling effort to give Ghana the lead.
39' Ghana have slowed the tempo of the game after taking the lead, allowing Nicaragua to see more of the possession.
40' We are five minutes away from halftime. Nicaragua 0-1 Ghana.
43' Ghana defender Alidu Seidu goes into the book of the referee after a strong challenge.
45+1' Abdul Fatawu Issahaku wastes a glorious chance. His feeble shot rolls out of play. That will be all the action in the first half.
We will be back with updates from Spain for every minute of the action.
Second Half:
46' We are back at the Estadio Francisco Artes Carrasco for the second half. Ghana will kick us off for this half as the game restarts. Will there be more goals in this game?
47' Ghana continues to mount pressure and wins a corner a minute into the second half. Daniel-Kofi Kyere seconds in a good ball which is connected by Mohammed Salisu. His effort unfortunately misses the target.
49' Daniel-Kofi Kyereh with a very good turn but delays releasing the ball. He is crushed by two players and wins a free kick.
51' Abdul Fatawu Issahaku fires a powerful drive at goal. His effort is parried away by the Nicaragua goalkeeper for a corner kick. The kick is effected by ball goals out of play for a goal kick.
53' For the first time in the game Nicaragua have won a corner kick. It is well-worked by Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori is alert and gathers the ball.
54' Goal!!! Ghana has the ball in the back of the Nicaragua net. The goal has been ruled out for offside.
55' Nicaragua wins a free-kick in a dangerous area. Baba Iddrisu who caused the foul is shown a yellow card in the process.
56' Free kick is taken but takes a deflection. Corner kick for Nicaragua which has been wasted.
60' Daniel-Kofi Kyereh is the subject of a dangerous foul and wins a free-kick for Ghana. The chance is wasted, unfortunately.
63' CHANCE!! Ghana threatens and creates a good chance. Inaki Williams' effort at goal is well-saved. That was a let-off.
65' Ghana dominating play as was witnessed in the first half. The Stars are however failing to create clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities for striker Inaki Williams.
66' Corner for Ghana. Mohammed Kudus finds Mohammed Salisu with a lob but the defender's header lacks power.
70' Nicaragua 0-1 Ghana.
73' Ghana preparing to make some changes to bring on new players.
75' We are left with 15 minutes to end this contest.
76' Mohammed Kudus receives a smart pass from Inaki Williams. He tries a low drive but the effort is well-saved.
80' We are into the final 10 minutes of the game.
82' Ghana coach Otto Addo makes a couple of changes. Andre Ayew and new winger Ransford Yeboah have been introduced to see off the game.
84' Mohammed Kudus has the ball in the back of the Nicaragua net. The goal will however not stand as it has been flagged for offside.
86' Anotoine Semenyo is on for Inaki Williams.
88' Antoine Semenyo is given a half chance and fires a shot at goal. The effort is easily saved.
90' Mohammed Kudus with a good chance to score. He fires a shot with his weaker foot which misses the post by a few inches.
Full Time: It's all over in Lorca. Ghana wraps up the September friendlies with a 1-0 win over Nicaragua.