Andy Yiadom stepped out for Ghana in Dubai last Saturday as they faced a South African side in a friendly at the Police Officers’ Club Stadium.
The two African giants were using the matchup as preparations for the 2019 African Cup of Nations finals taking place this June and July.
Andy Yiadom was one of the few Ghana players to play the full 90 minutes, helping to keep a clean sheet as the Black Stars were held to a draw in their final practice match before flying out to Egypt in a few days’ time.
Under the scorching heat in the United Arab Emirates, Thomas Partey and Kwadwo Asamoah were a commanding presence in the midfield for Ghana in the opening exchanges.
Ayew brothers, Andre and Jordan, spearheaded the attack against the Bafana Bafana, but couldn’t seriously test Darren Keet between the posts in the first half.
HT: After an impressive first half, including those missed scoring opportunities by the #BlackStars it’s still 0-0 here at the Poluce Academy park pic.twitter.com/Yp9QHswgKR
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) June 15, 2019
Stuart Baxter’s South Africa produced a different threat after the break, with the introduction of several players including Themba Zwane, Sibusiso Vilakazi and Lebohang Maboe.
Ghana too made changes of their own, but neither side was able to unlock their counterparts and the game ended a goalless draw.
South Africa are due to play one more friendly match against Angola tonight, but for Yiadom’s Ghana, they will wrap up preparations in Dubai before travelling to Egypt ready for their opening match against Benin on 25th June.
Team Ghana’s fitness instructor is guiding the players for this morning’s pool work outs #TOTALAFCON2019 #blackstars2019 pic.twitter.com/WFjqDKCvCJ
— Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) June 18, 2019
Kwesi Appiah’s side are situated in Group F alongside Guinea-Bissau, Benin, and defending champions Cameroon. A full list of Ghana’s Group F matches are as follows:
Ghana v Benin, Ismailia Stadium, 25th June, 9pm BST
Cameroon v Ghana, Ismailia Stadium, 29th June, 6pm BST
Guinea-Bissau v Ghana, Suez Stadium, 2nd July, 5pm BST
We wish Andy the very best of luck for this summer's competition, and we will be following his progress as the tournament gets underway.
