While Ghana’s 2-1 loss to Nigeria in the Unity Cup was a disappointing night for many Black Stars players, a select few delivered performances that could secure their future roles in the national team.
Christopher Bonsu Baah: A Lively Debut on the Right Wing Christopher Bonsu Baah showcased a complete skillset, demonstrating pace, trickery, a cultured left foot, tenacity, and a strong work ethic, along with the confident arrogance of a Brazilian winger. In a challenging first half where Ghana’s midfield struggled, Bonsu often dropped into half-spaces, though initially lacking support. This forced him to hold onto the ball, often running into traffic, yet he consistently managed to beat his initial marker.
The dynamic shifted in the second half with Caleb Yirenkyi’s introduction, which allowed Bonsu to occupy more meaningful half-spaces, tucking inside to bolster the midfield during build-up play. His most significant contribution was a superb cross to Jordan Ayew, created by a quick shift onto his stronger left foot to open up a crucial crossing angle. The timing of this pass was impeccable, preventing Igoh Ogbu from blocking the lane. This debut on the right wing was arguably the most lively seen from a Ghanaian player since the late Christian Atsu’s performance against Lesotho in 2012. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see more from the Genk midfielder.
Brandon Thomas-Asante: A Natural Fit Upfront In his third cap for Ghana, Brandon Thomas-Asante looked remarkably comfortable. His excellent hold-up play allowed teammates to advance up the pitch, and his confident movement and spatial awareness were a delight to watch. He instinctively knew which pockets of space to exploit and which channels to run into, making him a defender’s nightmare.
His persistence paid off in the 70th minute when Nigeria’s Semi Ajayi lost track of him, and Thomas-Asante capitalized. His run into the channel was well-timed, but his touch was even better – deft and precise. Despite Ebenezer Annan’s cross lacking pace, Thomas-Asante’s supreme touch left Nigerian goalkeeper Nwabali helpless. Ten minutes later, Nwabali redeemed himself with a fine save to deny another snapshot from Asante. With his back to goal, the Coventry City striker skillfully created space for himself before unleashing a powerful 20-yard effort destined for the top corner. This performance has undoubtedly earned Thomas-Asante more game time in future call-ups.
Caleb Yirenkyi: A Composed Wing-Back Audition Caleb Yirenkyi’s introduction as a right-back initially caused anxiety among Ghanaian fans, especially given the context of past positional experiments. However, the Nordsjaelland midfielder embraced the challenge and aced his audition. Playing as a wing-back, he provided crucial width in attack and demonstrated excellent recovery skills when Nigeria launched counterattacks.
His timely interventions were instrumental in preventing Nigeria from extending their lead despite having opportunities. Further up the pitch, he combined effectively with Bonsu Baah, creating a significant threat down Ghana’s right side. Yirenkyi displayed composure in possession and knew when to accelerate play. On occasion, he drifted into central positions, allowing Ashimeru Majeed to push higher and influence the build-up. Yirenkyi has certainly earned his place in the next squad, with hopes that he will be utilized in his natural midfield role rather than another experimental position.
