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Manaf makes headlines as 9- man Ghana beat Chile in Kirin Cup playoffs

1 year ago
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Abdul Manaf Nurudeen made the headlines as his two penalty saves won Ghana a third place finish in the Kirin Cup Soccer Tournament in Japan.

The Black Stars won 3-1 on penalty shootouts to beat Chile Tuesday afternoon.

Right back Alidu Seidu (66th) and Mubarak Wakaso (78th) were red carded for second bookings in the 2nd half as the team was reduced to 9-men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Ghana held on to draw 0-0 to take the game into shootouts.

Coach Otto Addo would pick valuable lessons from the tournament as his team showed massive improvement against Chile -compared to their output against Japan on Thursday.

Manaf Nurudeen, Baba Abdul Rahman, Benjamin Tetteh, Felix Afena Gyan and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku stared for Ghana as the technical ringed five changes to the starting lineup.

Fatawu Issahaku got the games first chance inside 9 minutes but his shot went wide. The Black Stars looked sharper and resolute on and off the ball - pinning the opponents down and creating spaces behind them.

Benjamin Tetteh had a brilliant chance to give Ghana the lead in the 48th minute but his powerful shot hit the upright. The Turkey based forward beautifully controlled the ball with a back hill before smashing a shot towards goal but Chile were saved by the woodwork.

Captain Andre Ayew also came close in the 60th minute but had his shot pushed away for a corner kick.

Benjamin Tetteh was on hand to head home the resultant corner kick but he was again denied - this time by the side post much to the relief of Chile.

As the game progressed- the Black Stars gained confidence and began to control affairs but that tempo was halted by a red card to Alidu Seidu. The right rushed into a high tackle into the lower abdomen of Galdames Milan. The initial punishment was a yellow card but later changed to a straight red card after a VAR review.

The setback didn’t lasted for only 10 minutes as Mubarak Wakaso was also sent off by the referee.

Mohammed Kudus had the last kick of the game as his long range shot was tipped over the bar by Chile goalkeeper Perez Kirby.

During the penalty shootout Jordan Ayew scored for Ghana to level the scores after Fernandez Saez has given Chile the lead.

Ghana goalkeeper Manaf Nurudeen saved two kicks from Tomas Jesus Alarcon and Brereton Diaz Benjamin while Mohammed Kudus and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku netted for Ghana.

Chile captain Gary Medel blasted wide as the referee blew his whistle for the end of the shootouts.

The Kirin Cup Soccer Tournament has given the Black Stars Technical team the opportunity to assess players as the build up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 continues.

Ghana’s next assignment is in September - a back to back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola.

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