Brazil 3-0 Ghana: Five talking points from pre-World Cup friendly defeat

The Black Stars were humbled by Brazil in their matchup at Le Havre in France on Wednesday. Tottenham attacker Richarlison scored a brace as Brazil got three unanswered goals against Ghana.

It was a disappointing evening for Ghana as they were dominated in all areas of the pitch from start to finish.

Here are five things we learned.

• The match was perfect to assess level of Black Stars

During the week, GFA President Kurt Okraku, head coach Otto Addo, and others all highlighted how good of a game it was for Ghana against Brazil.

Brazil are currently ranked first on the globe in men’s football and the tie was a way of determining Ghana’s true level ahead of the world cup.

Indeed, the result is a bad one. But it’s a good lesson for the team with Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea lying in wait.

The technical team would understand that a lot of work has to be done, fans would understand that the expectations should be lowered as the team later makes the trip to Qatar.

• Thomas Partey is needed now more than ever

Ghanaians were glad to see Thomas Partey return to fitness and make the starting lineup for the game against Brazil and with good reason.

The Arsenal man is a key player at club level and possesses the quality to go toe to toe with the best in the globe.

He is well known for his press resistance and his penchant for breaking lines easily with accurate passes. During the team’s warmup, he complained of a knock and was quickly replaced by Baba Iddrisu leaving Ghanaians scared of what would happen.

And those fears were justified, with Brazil easily suffocating the Black Stars with their pressing early in the game. Partey needs to get himself fit, and fast.

• Ghana is not ready to compete in World Cup yet

Qualification to the 2022 FIFA World Cup gave many Ghanaians hope of a 2010 repeat where the Black Stars made a triumphant run to the quarter-finals, impressing the rest of the world along the way.

The hope was even heightened when Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey and others switched allegiance to Ghana.

But, inside the first 10 minutes, Brazil struck. The Seleccao struck again just before the half-hour mark and for the rest of the encounter, it looked like the Black Stars had faced something bigger and better than them.

The level of the team is now understood by fans; not the one ready to at least make it to the round of 16.

• Mohammed Kudus needs to be pushed higher

Mohammed Kudus has been on fire at Ajax this season, mostly playing in the false nine role. His form has translated to seven goals so far and it doesn’t look like he is slowing down soon.

The 22-year-old was perhaps the brightest light in a subpar team performance against Brazil.

However, he had to weave his magic deep in midfield with Andre Ayew taking up the number 10 role, a role Kudus usually wants to play in for his country.

To get the best out of the team, players need to be put in their best positions. And Kudus will do even better further up the pitch.

• Ghana’s forward line needs to be overhauled

When Otto Addo released his lineup to face Brazil, fans were surprised to see Felix Afena-Gyan and Jordan Ayew start alongside Kamaldeen upfront.

Afena-Gyan has barely played for his club and Jordan Ayew has not had much luck production-wise for Crystal Palace.

But, they were chosen regardless and the performance of both players left little to be desired.

With an abundance of options now for Otto Addo, some consideration should be made on the places of Jordan and Felix with the likes of Inaki Williams, Ransford-Yeboah and others available.