Black Stars Goalie Manaf Nurudeen Earns Plaudits After Penalty Heroics in Kirin Cup

• The Black Stars of Ghana defeated two-time South American champions Chile to finish third in the ongoing Kirin Cup tournament in Japan
• Young goalkeeper Abdul Manaf Nurudeen emerged the hero of the day, saving two kicks during the penalty shootout success
• Manaf will hope his heroics against Chile could guarantee him a spot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Ghana and KAS Eupen shot-stopper Manaf Nurudeen has been singled out by Ghanaian fans for praise after his heroics during the penalty shootouts in the third-place playoff against Chile in the Kirin Challenge Cup.

Manaf was preferred ahead of underfire goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who shipped in four goals during Ghana's humbling loss to Japan in the semifinals of the tournament.

And the 23-year-old custodian repaid the confidence reposed in him by coach Otto Addo with decent performance in between the sticks during regulation time.

However, it was during the penalty shootouts that the KAS Eupen's safest pair of hands made himself the hero with two penalty saves as Ghana defeated their South American counterparts 3-1 via shootouts to clinch the third spot.

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Football

After the game, Ghanaian football fans troop to social media in their droves to shower praises on the young custodian for his heroics.

Below are some of the comments from praise-singing Ghanaian soccer fans:

Ghana beats Chile with nine men to grab bronze in Kirin Cup

Ghana placed third in the Kirin Cup tournament after penalties shootout victory against South American side Chile.

KAS Eupen goalkeeper, who started ahead of Lawrence Ati-Zigi, was the hero of the day after his penalty shootout heroics.

Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus and Fatawu Issahaku converted their spot-kicks as nine-man Ghana beat Chile.

Japan hands Ghana a heavy defeat in the Kirin Cup semifinal clash

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Ghana were humiliated in their opening game at the Kirin Cup after hosts Japan thumped the Black Stars at the Tokyo National Stadium.

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The Black Stars suffered a 4-1 defeat to Japan following an abysmal display from a depleted Ghana side.

Coach Otto Addo was forced to change his team following ailment and injuries to most of his starters. Read more: