The Black Stars of Ghana once again failed to reach the African Cup of Nations final, humbly loosing during a penalty shootout with Burkina Faso.

Here is an analysis by a Ghanaian journalist and how the Black Stars performed.

Fatau Dauda: Didn’t do much wrong on the day.His handling can improve and his organizational skills are developing. The loss will not take the shine off what has been a fine performance from the Ashgold stopper.

Harrison Afful: The diminutive defender did his best against a physical squad but a decision needs to be made on his left back deployment.Right back is his best position.

Isaac Vorsah: Was engaged in a physical battle with Bance and they tussled well. His lapses in concentration need to reduce but his physical attributes alone are a boon to any defense.His penalty kick was not textbook.

John Boye: His pace is a huge asset and used it several times to close down the dangerous pair of Pitroipa and Nakoulama. Saved the team several times with last ditch interceptions and signs are clear of a blossoming partnership with Vorsah.

Agyeman Badu: Bundles of energy but needs to harness that with tactical discipline and awareness. His uncontrolled departure from his defensive roles left the team reeling under pressure and left him anonymous. Suggestion?He should watch Yaya Toure.

Rabiu Mohammed: Reduced his impact with an early yellow but in his time on the pitch shielded the defense. He needs to work on his timing and passing from the middle to become a more effective player.

 

Solomon Asante: Showed a will to soldier on even with his size disadvantage. Was a constant menace on the ball and worked hard. Showed urgency at a time most of his team mates had petered off.His impact within the time will grow.

Christian Atsu: The Porto winger has had a rude introduction to competitive tournaments with a super performance. As great talent but still a long way to go. Messi? Not even close.

Kwadwo Asamoah: A victim of his own talent. Wasted at left back after tactical switch due to Pantsil injury. Ghana’s most important player saw too little of the ball to influence proceedings. The left back experiment needs to stop.

Asamoah Gyan: The captain needs to choose between the Black Stars and his career in the Gulf. Still a fine player but the current system the team employs requires a sharper, quicker and clinical version of the Baby Jet. Tough decisions ahead.

Mubarak Wakaso: A good start but was full of himself during the game. Lots of poor decisions with the ball and his normally good set pieces deserted him. Still remains the true find of the tournament for the Black Stars.

Derek Boateng: A player who seems bereft of confidence at the moment. Had lots of faulty touches and did little to calm down a nervous back-line. Lack of game time was clear.

 

Emmanuel Clottey: Another whose lack of game time at his club in Tunisia has affected his form. His killer instinct has deserted him and will have to do more with his opportunities within the team to convince the coach and fans that he is worthier than the growing band of young hotshots like Boakye Yiadom, Warris and Jordan Ayew.

 

Coach Kwesi Appiah: Definitely not his finest hour as a coach as he got most of the tactical switches wrong. How he will explain having a specialist left back who didn’t kick a ball during the entire tourney will be hard.Positives include Wakaso, Fatau and Asante but needs to make bolder calls.