Ghana Go Down to a Dinky Dubai Team…Should We Be Worried?

Ghana finally got to play a friendly match as part of their pre-tournament preparations, but ominously, they lost to Dubai team Al-Shabbab 1-0. It was a “very competitive” game that saw Claude LeRoy field all of his star players, though I’m now thinking that Ghana should be glad that they still have another week before they face Guinea in the tournament opener.

To be fair, LeRoy used two completely different teams in each half so that he could watch his team play together, but I still find it slightly troubling that Ghana unable to put a single goal past Al-Shabbab. I mean, I know that club sides tend to have an advantage over national teams…but still. And even more eyebrow raising, Sulley Muntari got sent off in the first half.

Oh well. I hope LeRoy knows what he’s doing.

First half squad: Richard Kingson, John Paintsil, Hans Adu Sarpei, Ahmed Barruso, John Mensah, Laryea Kingston, Michael Essien, Haminu Draman, Sulley Muntari, Asamoah Gyan and Junior Agogo.

Second half squad: Sammy Adjei, Nana Kwasi Asare, Harrison Afful, Alhassan Illiasu, Eric Addo, Anthony Annan, Bernard Kumordzi, Andre Ayew, Baffuor Gyan, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Kwadwo Asamoah.